According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), there are more than 40 million people enslaved around the world. While exact numbers of trafficked individuals are challenging to ascertain since many victims do not self-disclose or may believe there is no way out, it is estimated that 25% of the 40 million people being trafficked are children.
As a sector, the hotel and hospitality industry sees 60% of human trafficking and exploitation globally, with that percentage of trafficking taking place in local hotels and motels. In response to these crimes, many states in the U.S. have created legislation that requires hotel staff to be trained on the signs of human trafficking and to set up a reporting protocol both on property and with local law enforcement. For example, Florida passed legislation in 2019 requiring all hotel staff to be trained within 60 days of hire to ensure the hospitality industry equips staff to disrupt the cycle of trafficking.