Orphan backlash grows

WORLD Expeditions has stepped up its opposition to orphanage tourism, announcing it has joined an effort to prevent the institutionalisation of children in developing countries.

The operator, together with its school and youth brand World Youth Adventures, has joined the Rethink Orphanages Network which aims to prevent unnecessary institutionalisation.

World Expeditions removed all orphanage visits from its programs in 2013 in response to concerns about increasing numbers of institutions in major tourist destinations.

It is one of several operators to place a ban on orphanage visits.

“There is compelling evidence that orphanage tourism – the practice of well meaning travellers visiting and volunteering in orphanages – is open to abuse from corrupt organisations operating under the guise of an orphanage and preying on well-meaning but uninformed travellers,” said World Expeditions responsible travel manager Donna Lawrence.

Last month volunteer organisation Projects Abroad cut ties with institutions and announced it would instead channel efforts to community based projects, while WA Senator Linda Reynolds recently called for laws to prevent visits to sham orphanages where operators profit from children kept unnecessarily in care.