Choice Hotels International partners with ECPAT-USA to fight child trafficking

ROCKVILLE, Maryland – Choice Hotels International joined ECPAT-USA’s mission to end child slavery at the source and take further measures to prevent and protect children from human trafficking by

ROCKVILLE, Maryland – Choice Hotels International joined ECPAT-USA’s mission to end child slavery at the source and take further measures to prevent and protect children from human trafficking by joining the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code). The Code is the industry-driven tourism initiative in preventing child trafficking. They signed The Code on April 29, 2015.

The International Labor Organization estimates that there are nearly 21 million people around the world trapped in modern day slavery. In the US alone, there are at least 100,000 American children at risk each year. Unbeknownst to management, hotel rooms can be used by traffickers to run their operations. They are seen as an anonymous setting to meet buyers.

Members of The Code develop ethical policies against the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children. Choice Hotels’ Board of Directors adopted an anti-trafficking policy in 2010 and the company is strengthening their anti-trafficking training program for franchisees. The training, available on Choice University, will help hotel staff identify and respond to suspicious activity that may occur on a hotel property. ECPAT-USA joined Choice Hotels at their 61st Annual Convention in Las Vegas to begin raising awareness with attendees.

“Choice Hotels has a firm belief in ECPAT-USA’s values and mission of preventing and protecting children from human trafficking,” said Steve Joyce, president and CEO, Choice Hotels. “We are dedicated to collaborating with ECPAT-USA to raise awareness around this horrific crime.”

“With franchised hotels in all 50 states in the United States, Choice Hotels’ commitment will greatly influence awareness on this issue,” said ECPAT-USA’s Director of Private Sector Engagement, Michelle Guelbart. “We applaud Choice Hotels for their work and look forward to spreading the word with their franchisees.”

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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