A recent op-ed published on VNA explains an important clarification in the Albanian Penal Code regarding travel and sexual exploitation. The article makes it clear that consensual sex during travel isn’t a crime, but organizing travel for the purpose of sexual exploitation — especially trafficking and forced activities — is now punishable by law.
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What the New Penal Provision Says
At the core of the discussion is the newly added Article 108/b to the Albanian Penal Code, which criminalizes the organization of travel with the specific intention of facilitating certain crimes — including human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and forced prostitution — regardless of whether these activities occur within Albania or abroad.
Key points of the provision include:
- Travel for exploitative purposes organized by an individual or an agency, even if for payment, is punishable.
- The act is punishable with imprisonment from 2 to 6 years.
- If a legal entity (like a travel agency) is responsible, additional penalties include corporate dissolution.
The law’s language makes clear that simple travel — holiday, business, educational or otherwise — is not a criminal offense. Only those who organize travel with exploitative intent are subject to criminal sanctions.
Why This Matters Now in Albania
This legal clarification comes at a time when concerns about trafficking and exploitation in the context of travel and tourism are growing in Albania and globally. International reports have repeatedly linked increases in travel and tourism with the risk of sexual exploitation and trafficking, particularly of minors and vulnerable adults.
For instance, research by CRCA/ECPAT Albania and partners has highlighted weaknesses in how travel and tourism operations in Albania are monitored to prevent child sexual exploitation and trafficking. Enforcement and awareness remain challenges, even as tourism grows.
While the new Albanian law targets organizers who profit from exploitation, it also underscores the need for effective implementation and cooperation between law enforcement, tourism operators, and civil society to protect victims and prevent abuse.
Examples to Clarify the Law
To illustrate how the provision functions:
✔️ Not a crime: A group of friends traveling for leisure or consensual adult encounters during a holiday.
❌ Punishable: A person or company arranging travel for individuals with the intent to engage them in trafficking, forced prostitution, or sexual exploitation in another country or domestically.
The law is designed to target traffickers, exploiters, and organizers of abusive networks, not ordinary travellers or consensual adult behavior.
Public and Media Misunderstandings
The op-ed also responds to misinformation circulating online, where headlines insinuated that sex during travel might lead to imprisonment. Konomi emphasizes that this is not what the law says — the punishment applies only to organizers who profit by enabling exploitation, not individuals engaging in lawful acts during travel.
This distinction is crucial for public understanding and helps avoid unnecessary fear or confusion among the general population — including young people and potential migrants — who might misinterpret legal reforms.
What Albanian Authorities and Advocates Stress
Experts in human rights and child protection emphasize that legislation must be backed up by:
- Strong police and judicial enforcement.
- Public awareness campaigns about trafficking and exploitation risks.
- Cooperation with travel and tourism stakeholders to identify and prevent exploitative practices.
Without coordinated action, legal provisions alone may not sufficiently protect vulnerable individuals or prevent exploitative travel arrangements.
Conclusion — Clear Law, Serious Message
In short: travel itself is not a crime, but travel organized for exploitation — especially sexual exploitation — definitely is under Albanian law. The reform reflects a push to align legal frameworks with global efforts to fight human trafficking and abuse without criminalizing ordinary mobility.
This clarification should help dispel myths and encourage informed discussion about human rights, legal reform, and the realities of exploitation in the modern travel and tourism landscape.