Airbnb and The Mayor’s Office of Medellín Take Action to Combat Sexual Exploitation

Following the outrageous case of sexual exploitation of 2 minors in Medellin involving 36-year-old foreigner Timothy Livingston, Airbnb has signed an agreement with the Mayor’s Office of Medellin to jointly address the problem of child sexual exploitation in the city. This demonstrates the commitment of both parties to foster a safer environment and promote tourism that brings value to the city.

Mayor Federico Gutiérrez highlighted the importance of this collaboration with Airbnb, given its prominent role in the city’s tourism sector. Medellín receives more than 1.5 million visitors each year, half of which are foreign tourists. This agreement aims to prevent any activity that could pose a threat to the safety and well-being of minors in the city.

The main aspects of the agreement include the exchange of information on tourists visiting Medellín, training on tourism laws for those who rent through Airbnb, and the possibility for authorities to request and receive information from Airbnb for investigative purposes. The promotion of Medellín as a family tourism destination is also a key aspect of the partnership.

Airbnb also highlighted its neighbor assistance channel, which allows community members to report any suspicious activity taking place at Airbnb properties. This initiative shows Airbnb’s commitment to working closely with the community to prevent potential problems.