The Risks of Orphanage Tourism

While the motives of tourists are often genuine, evidence shows that such practices can unintentionally harm children. Reputable NGOs caution against this type of volunteering, as it can perpetuate cycles of institutionalisation and exploitation. According to ECPAT International, around 8 million children live in institutions worldwide, and the number of orphanages in some popular tourist destinations increased by 65% between 2000 and 2010.

Certain countries have become hotspots for orphanage tourism due to factors such as poverty, weak regulation, and high tourist demand. Some of the most affected include Cambodia, India, Nepal, Thailand, Peru, Costa Rica, and various regions of Africa. These areas attract large numbers of visitors, increasing the potential risks for children.

Research by organisations such as UNICEF, ECPAT International, Save the Children, Terre des Hommes, and other child protection experts has documented the risks associated with orphanage tourism.

• Institutionalisation: Some institutions exist primarily to attract volunteers and donations, keeping children in orphanages unnecessarily. This can negatively impact emotional and psychological development, as children lack the stability and care of a family environment.
• Psychological Harm: Frequent interactions with short-term volunteers can create temporary attachments, leading to emotional instability and attachment difficulties.
• Disruption of Education: High turnover of visitors can interfere with children’s education, shifting focus away from learning to entertaining or accommodating tourists.
• Sexual abuse and exploitation: Unvetted visitors or staff may misuse images or videos of children to attract donations or tourists. Some children may be coerced into explicit acts or content creation, putting them at risk of producing or being featured in child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
• Trafficking: The demand for volunteer opportunities can encourage the creation of fraudulent institutions that exploit children for profit. In some cases, children may be separated from their families or trafficked to meet this demand. UNICEF reports that while the number of orphans has decreased in Cambodia, the number of orphanages doubled between 2009 and 2014.

Preventing exploitation in orphanages requires coordinated action from governments, NGOs, tourism operators, local communities, and tourists:

• Government oversight: Authorities should implement strong regulations, licensing, and regular monitoring to identify and close exploitative institutions.
• Raising awareness among tourists: Travel agencies, airlines, and online platforms should provide accurate guidance about responsible travel, including avoiding visits to orphanages.
• Supporting family- and community-based care: Investing in local communities to care for children within families or small-scale residential settings is safer, reduces exploitation risks, and provides sustainable support.

Everyone has a role in protecting children. If you encounter suspicious activity or suspect child abuse or exploitation, contact local law enforcement or child protection organisations and provide as much information as possible.

If you come across harmful material online, report it immediately to your local hotline. To find the local hotline in your country, click below.

Safer Internet Day would not be possible without the support of the European Union. Currently, the funding is provided by the Connecting Europe Facility programme (CEF). In the future, actions will be funded through the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). Find out more about the European Commission’s new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+) on the EC website.