Our commitment against ESNNA

Zero tolerance of the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in tourism. It is a condition of work for our whole team, our guides and every supplier we operate with.

What is ESNNA?

ESNNA stands for Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents. It occurs when the body of a person under 18 is used for sexual, erotic or pornographic purposes in exchange for money, for the promise of payment or for any other benefit: food, clothing, accommodation, a mobile phone, a favour.

It is a form of sexual violence and a serious violation of fundamental rights. In Peru it is a crime, and anyone who commits or facilitates it faces a custodial sentence.

It is never consent. No child or adolescent can consent to their own exploitation. Age, financial need or physical appearance do not change that. Phrases such as "she looks grown up" or "she wanted to" are part of the problem, not an excuse.

At Sakura Expedition we declare that:

We reject every form of sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, in Peru and anywhere in the world, and especially any form linked to travel and tourism.

We neither promote nor allow ESNNA or any other criminal offence that comes to our knowledge in the course of our activity, in accordance with Peruvian Law No. 29408, the General Tourism Act.

We warn every traveller, Peruvian or foreign, that requesting or engaging in sexual activity with a person under 18 in Peru is a serious crime, prosecuted under criminal law, whatever the nationality of the offender.

How we honour this commitment

1. Training for the whole team

Our administrative, sales and operations staff (guides, cooks, drivers, porters and muleteers) are trained on what ESNNA is, how to identify warning signs and what to do when there is a suspicion.

2. A commitment we require from suppliers

Hotels, lodgings, transport companies, restaurants, freelance guides and community-based rural tourism ventures working with us know and accept this policy. Failure to comply is grounds for ending the commercial relationship.

3. Clean advertising and promotion

None of our materials — website, social media or itineraries — contains, openly or covertly, offers of or allusions to sexual services.

4. Information for travellers

We inform our passengers of the legal consequences of ESNNA in Peru, through this page and through our travel documents.

5. A duty to report

Reporting is not optional for us. Any member of the team who becomes aware of an incident or has reasonable grounds for suspicion is required to report it, with the guarantee that there will be no retaliation for doing so.

Legal framework

• Law No. 29408 – General Tourism Act, and its Regulations approved by Supreme Decree No. 003-2010-MINCETUR. It establishes MINCETUR's remit to prevent and combat ESNNA in tourism (art. 44 of the Act), the option of signing codes of conduct (art. 41 of the Regulations) and the obligation of service providers to communicate and disseminate the rules on preventing and punishing ESNNA (art. 43 of the Act).
• Ministerial Resolution No. 430-2018-MINCETUR. It approves the "Code of Conduct against the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents (ESNNA) in Tourism for Tourism Service Providers" and the sworn declaration that must be signed.
• Law No. 30802. It sets the conditions for children and adolescents to enter accommodation establishments, in order to guarantee their protection and integrity.
• Law No. 30963. It amends the Criminal Code regarding penalties for sexual exploitation in its various forms and related offences, with particular emphasis on protecting children, adolescents and women.
• Law No. 28251. It incorporates into the Criminal Code the offences of the user-client and of the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in tourism.
• Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN) and the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (UNWTO).

The tourism we want

Travelling through Cusco and Peru should have a positive impact on the people, the communities and the places we visit. We believe in tourism that is responsible, respectful and committed to protecting those who are part of our destination, especially children and adolescents.

No form of exploitation or violence against them has any place in tourism. It is not an experience and it is not a cultural practice: it is a crime.

This commitment does not depend on an inspection or a certificate. At Sakura Expedition we take it on every day, in every service we offer and in every decision we make as a company.