News
13
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
usiness Ending Slavery and
Trafficking is offering a free version
of its “Inhospitable to Human
Trafficking” training for hospitality
employees. Any hospitality worker can now
access the 30-minute online video through
BEST’s website.
The hospitality industry sees frequent
human trafficking incidents because
traffickers use hotel premises to commit
crimes and house victims, BEST said in
a statement. The non-profit aims to give
more hotel employees the tools to address
this crime.
“Inhospitable to Human Trafficking is
designed to equip hotel staff in various roles
to recognize indicators of human trafficking
and take effective action,” said Kirsten Foot,
BEST’s CEO and executive director. “People
who take this training are better able to
assist victims while protecting themselves,
their guests, colleagues and hotel."
Sex trafficking is not the only form of
trafficking that occurs in hotels, BEST
said. Controllers of people forced to work
in other industries also use hotels. For
example, traffickers running sales or
construction crews may house workers in
hotels and abandon them if they fail to meet
a quota. Labor trafficking victims are often
financially controlled and made to work for
little or no pay.
Labor and sex trafficking victims
have reported staying at hotels during
exploitation and not being acknowledged
or assisted by staff, the statement said. It
is important that staff understand both
forms of trafficking to recognize the specific
indicators of each. Training hotel employees
to identify and respond to signs of
trafficking can help prevent such situations.
Hospitality staff can register and
complete the English- or Spanish-language
course at their own pace.
The AHLA Foundation’s No Room for
Trafficking initiative has
delivered more than 2
million anti-trafficking
training sessions
to hotel employees
nationwide and
contributed more than
$2.2 million to support
survivors, according to
its website.
Red Roof also
is expanding its
efforts to combat
human trafficking,
said the company’s
President Zack Gharib. The company
mandates human trafficking training
for all franchisees. It also partners with
organizations like AHLA and AAHOA to
promote awareness and prevention.
“This is a heinous crime and we condemn
it at all levels,” Gharib said.
In February, the Illinois Senate Local
Government Committee approved SB 1422,
strengthening the hotel industry’s efforts
to combat human trafficking by mandating
employee training. The legislation allows
local government and law enforcement to
oversee compliance and issue penalties for
violations.
BEST launches anti-trafficking
training for hotel staff
It aims to give more employees the tools to address this crime
www.artisticbathrefinishings.com
DO IT ONCE
DO IT RIGHT!
REFINISHING OF:
FIBERGLASS TUB & SHOWER ENCLOSURES,
TUB & TILE, CULTURED MARBLE SINKS, & VANITY TOPS
888.707.9297 801.636.1463
24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE &
PROUD MEMBER OF THE B.B.B.
Refinish your
bathtubs!
Volume pricing
starting at
“$99”
includes a
non-resistant bottom!
Before
After
Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking is offering a free 30-minute online
human trafficking prevention training for hospitality employees through its
website.