Be On the Lookout for Human Trafficking

By
Barbara Scofidio
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human traffickingEvery hotel—including the 4- and 5-star properties used by meeting planners—is a potential site for human trafficking.

On July 30th, the United Nations will observe “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” to raise awareness about human trafficking. PACT (the Partners in Protection Program, formerly known as ECPAT USA) is shining a light on the role of the hotel, travel and tourism industries in human trafficking.

398 companies in 248 countries—including dozens of hotel companies—have committed to the fight against trafficking by signing “The Code” (the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct), training their employees, and putting policies and programs in place to address this issue.

Signs to look for can be subtle, but when identified in combination, could point to human trafficking. For example, a front desk clerk might think nothing of a young female guest whose partner is holding her identification and wallet for her, but when the room she checks into then has a “Do Not Disturb” sign hanging from the door all week, there’s reason for suspicion.

Among the other signs to look for in hotels:

 

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Barbara Scofidio
Barbara Scofidio is Editor of Prevue and heads up the Visionary Summits, our exclusive conference series targeting senior-level meeting and incentive planners. In her 30 years in the industry, she has become known for her passion around greening meetings, growing awareness of human trafficking and promoting CSR activities as part of business events. She is currently a member of SITE's Women IN Leadership committee and the media liaison for FICP's Education Committee. She was the first member of the media ever to be invited to sit on a committee by GBTA, where she spent three years on the Groups and Meetings Committee. She has also been an active member of SITE for 30 years, chairing its Crystal Awards committee and acting as a judge. Before joining Prevue in 2014, she served as Editor of Corporate Meetings & Incentives (MeetingsNet) for more than 20 years. She has a BA in Literature/Rhetoric from Binghamton University. Barbara is based outside Boston, in Groton, Mass.

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