RIU Fights Child Exploitation in Cancún Tourism Hub

Cancún, Mexico — RIU Hotels hosted and organized the 3rd International Forum of ECPAT, led by the organization itself, to further advance efforts in preventing the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents (CSECA).

The forum, titled "Education and Tourism as Pillars in Creating Protective Environments to Prevent the Trafficking of Children and Adolescents for Commercial Sexual Exploitation," took place at the Riu Caribe hotel in Cancún. More than 200 attendees participated, including state and municipal authorities, key figures from the tourism sector and civil society, as well as media representatives.

Commitment to Prevention

Ernest Ponette, Operations Delegate for RIU in Cancún, stated:

"In 2024, we trained nearly 14,000 employees across our global chain on this issue, with over 3,500 of them based in Quintana Roo. We do this with conviction and a firm determination to act against CSECA because prevention and reporting are not optional—they are an ethical, legal, and human obligation."

Norma Negrete, National Coordinator of ECPAT Mexico, emphasized:

"It is time for all of us to form a united front. Action must be firm, decisive, and coordinated. We cannot allow indifference and impunity to continue enabling trafficking and sexual exploitation—crimes against humanity that we must eradicate at their roots."

High-Level Participation

Notable attendees included Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama, State Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto, and Benito Juárez Municipal President Ana Patricia Peralta.

Following the opening remarks, the forum began with a keynote address by Dr. Vincenzo Castelli, a philosopher and anthropologist who advises the Italian government on human trafficking issues.

Panel Discussions

The first panel, "Tourism, Digital Environments, and Prevention of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents: Toward Building Protective Environments," was moderated by Alma Tesillos, Director of CSR for RIU Hotels in the Americas. Participants included:

• Catalina Alemany, Global CSR Director of RIU Hotels
• Nelson Rivera, Representative of Fundación Renacer and ECPAT
• Rodrigo de la Peña, President of the Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association
• Julio César Ortega, Head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Trafficking and Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Quintana Roo
• Bernardo Cueto, Quintana Roo Tourism Secretary

The second panel, "Education for the Prevention of Online Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Tourist Contexts: A Comprehensive Approach Combining Digital Tools, Pedagogical Training, and Multi-Sector Participation," featured:

• Yolanda Pérez and Ismael Osuna from the Autonomous University of Quintana Roo
• Óscar Valverde from Fundación Paniamor and ECPAT
• Erick Gómez, Member of the National System of Researchers
• Elda María Xix, Specialist in Digital Pedagogy

Closing and Recognition

At the conclusion of the forum, Celina Izquierdo, an ECPAT collaborator, presented the event’s key takeaways. Additionally, the winner of the "Name the Axolotl" contest—organized by ECPAT Mexico, RIU Hotels, and the Quintana Roo government—was announced. The initiative aims to create a visual identity for the app "In Search of Your Online Social Identity," which promotes trafficking prevention through an interactive character for adolescents.

Ongoing Efforts

RIU Hotels, a TOP member of The Code since 2012, prioritizes child protection. Since 2024, the company has actively collaborated with ECPAT Mexico to implement the digital tool "In Search of Your Virtual Identity" among secondary school students across the state.