RIU joins The Code UK and widens its child protection net

RIU Hotels & Resorts has taken another step in its child safeguarding work. The Mallorcan chain has joined The Code UK, the UK arm of the conduct code driven by ECPAT to prevent child sexual exploitation in travel and tourism. With this move, RIU takes its protection framework into a fifth country, following more than 13 years as a global member of The Code and having reached Top Member status in Spain and Mexico.

For the industry, the headline matters less than the operational load behind it. Signing onto The Code means training staff, running detection and reporting protocols, and reviewing supplier recruitment policies. That is real work at the front desk, in housekeeping and across each property's security teams. RIU runs a high room count with a strong footprint in holiday destinations, so the reach is not symbolic.

My read: chains that fold these frameworks into internal training and audits end up with fewer reputational and operational scares. Family and corporate travellers are asking about this more often. And anyone without it set up will have to do it eventually, with less time on their side.