Hotel industry, government seek to raise awareness of human trafficking

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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

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The hotel industry has become an important partner in any strategy to combat human trafficking. In January, as part of the “No Room for Trafficking” campaign, leaders in the hotel industry and government leaders in multiple states held events to raise awareness on the subject. 

In Illinois these efforts included a human trafficking prevention training session that certified hundreds of hotel employees to recognize the signs of trafficking. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), in partnership with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) sponsored the event in Illinois.

“Human trafficking isn’t something that only happens at global entertainment events or in other countries. This is something that happens to children here in Illinois and across the United States, in communities urban and rural alike, every single day,” said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. “Starting this summer every employee of an Illinois hotel or motel who interacts with guests will understand their role in the fight to end human trafficking. That’s real progress—but it’s only one step in ending a practice that affects tens of millions of people worldwide. All of the work we do at the state level is only truly effective if everyday Illinoisans are alert and report any signs of human trafficking — and nowhere is this more true than with members of the hotel industry.”

The "No Room for Trafficking" campaign includes staff training, encourages hospitality companies to display human trafficking indicator signs, create company-wide policies on human trafficking while encouraging ongoing coordination with law enforcement. 

“Human trafficking is a deplorable crime that damages and destroys millions of lives. That’s why we in the hotel industry believe it is critical to organize our entire industry around a united approach to combat human trafficking and build partnerships with law enforcement officers and leaders in the prevention space, including Gov. Pritzker, Attorney General Kwami Raoul and Mayor Lori Lightfoot,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. “Our goal is to have every hotel employee in the United States trained on how to spot and stop trafficking, and while there is still much more to do, we believe our shared commitment to training and education will continue to make a difference.”

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