Asonahores and UNICEF’s collaboration in Dominican tourism

Punta Cana.- In the Dominican Republic, the hotel sector plays a pivotal role, generating over 386,000 jobs, with approximately 110,000 Dominicans relying on it for employment, thus impacting an equal number of families. Notably, nearly 71,000 of these employees are women working across hotels, bars, and restaurants.

Recognizing the significance of this sector and its influence on societal welfare, the Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have joined hands. Their recent agreement aims at championing children’s rights within tourist regions, fostering family-friendly policies to benefit sector employees, and combatting the sexual exploitation of minors.

David Llibre, President of Asonahores, emphasized their commitment to advancing national tourism while prioritizing the safety and protection of children, both local and foreign. The agreement underscores collaborative efforts to raise awareness among Asonahores’ members regarding children’s rights as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.

UNICEF representative Carlos Carrera highlighted the pivotal role of companies in upholding human rights and implementing family-friendly policies. He stressed the potential positive impacts, including reduced parental stress, improved parenting practices, and enhanced employee retention, all contributing to economic growth.

The collaboration’s objectives are multifaceted, including promoting children’s rights in tourist areas, implementing family-friendly labor policies, and building the sector’s capacity to address the sexual exploitation of minors. Activities under this initiative encompass the creation and dissemination of educational materials, technical support to prevent exploitation in affiliated establishments, and the development of family-centric employment policies.

Additionally, the partnership will offer specialized training for hotel staff, covering topics such as childhood development, positive parenting, and childcare, further ensuring the well-being of families in the sector.

Through this concerted effort, Asonahores and UNICEF strive to foster sustainable tourism practices that prioritize child protection and family welfare, setting a precedent for responsible and ethical tourism worldwide.