‘Make sure somebody knows about it:’ SHHA on hotel human trafficking

The Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association (SHHA) is trying to raise awareness of human trafficking in hotels.

Jim Bence, the SHHA’s CEO and president, told Gormley many chains are implementing new training to help staff recognize the threat of traffickers. There are many signs that could be considered suspicious.

“(Staff can look for) how it is that people book rooms, who’s actually going into the rooms, where they request rooms (and) the request they get from guests,” he explained.

“There’s all of these different pieces they can pay attention to that would indicate that maybe there’s trafficking going on.”

He also mentioned young women coming in with much older men and indicators of physical abuse.

Bence thinks it’s important for hotels to report any suspicions to police to speed along the investigative process.

He said guests can also help.

“We should be concerned about that kind of stuff, and then do something about it. Don’t necessarily get involved, but make sure that you’re picking up the phone (or) you’re going to the front desk,” he said.

“Make sure somebody knows about it.”

He is currently working on a training system to be applied to all hotels in his association.