Hotel Industry Joins Nation’s Mayor to Advance Human Trafficking Solutions

Today, AHLA led a national dialogue with hundreds of mayors around the country to advance solutions to stop human trafficking in hotels. I had the honor of hosting a panel discussion at the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s 88th Winter Meeting to explore coordination between the hotel industry and mayors in developing and deploying strategies to combat trafficking in cities across the country. 

The event builds on efforts throughout National Human Trafficking Awareness Month and our No Room for Trafficking campaign, which aims to build on the industry’s strong record by training every hotel employee to spot the signs of trafficking and ultimately save lives. 

Today’s panel, which featured remarks from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, focused on the unique efforts of their cities and ways local governments are coordinating with hoteliers to develop innovative tools and facilitate increased collaboration across the private and public sectors.

“In Houston, collaboration and partnerships have redefined our great city from a hub for trafficking to a national model for successful anti-trafficking programs. This is a testament to what happens when government and the private sector work together, and I encourage all industries to follow the hotel industry’s leadership,” said Mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner. “In the fight to end human trafficking, this joint effort is how our country will move forward and continue to save lives.”

“Human trafficking is among the fastest growing crimes in the country and comprehensively addressing this issue takes coordination and leadership,” said Mayor of Las Vegas Carolyn Goodman. “As a major destination for tourism, I understand how vital it is for government and industry to work in tandem, and I commend the hotel industry for convening this critical conversation and taking the lead on such an important issue.”

Building on a wave of events throughout National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, AHLA in partnership with Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association and AHOAA, will continue the fight to end human trafficking in Chicago next week at an event in partnership with Governor J. B. Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Mayor Lori Lightfoot ahead of the NBA Basketball All-Star game.  

Collaboration and partnership is the key to ending human trafficking. For more information on how you can get involved, please visit our No Room for Trafficking website.