States and the federal government have stepped up efforts to hold the hospitality industry accountable for preventing trafficking in hotels, motels and other lodging establishments. 

While the hospitality industry is actively trying to stop human trafficking at properties, the risk is not going away and can affect hoteliers who are not taking proper precautions to prevent trafficking activities. Insurers are responding to this increased exposure by adding policy exclusions that could leave hoteliers vulnerable to future claims if they don’t prioritize risk management against these risks. 

The many forms of hotel human trafficking risks  

Human trafficking includes domestic servitude, sex trafficking and forced labor, with the latter two being the most prevalent in hospitality. More than 60% of sex-trafficking victims said they were forced to work in hotels or motels, and 46% of criminal sex-trafficking cases prosecuted by the federal government included allegations that commercial sex had taken place at a hotel.1

Hotels and motels are also among the top five venues where labor trafficking occurs, typically in the form of housekeeping, food service staff or other positions that hotels subcontract.2 

In most states, hoteliers are required by law to prevent, recognize and report instances of human trafficking.

Most states have passed laws targeting hospitality businesses with financial or criminal penalties if they are involved in or have knowledge of human trafficking on their premises. Many state laws require that businesses take steps to prevent these activities. For example, at least 12 states mandate that hotel employees be trained on human trafficking awareness.2 

How to help improve risk management against trafficking 

Hoteliers can help reduce the risk of human trafficking to meet their legal obligations and show underwriters they take the risks seriously. Here are several measures that hoteliers can implement: 

  • Policy and prevention. Establish a formal anti-trafficking policy that includes prevention guidelines, training on the types of human trafficking that could occur and a reporting structure for suspected trafficking situations. This reporting structure should include clear instructions detailing who employees should notify in case they see or suspect an incident, including management and law enforcement or human trafficking hotlines.
  • Situational awareness training. All employees — including those in housekeeping, maintenance, room-service staff, front desk and the concierge — need situation-specific training on the common indicators of trafficking activities in hotel rooms or around the property. Additionally, hotels should keep thorough and accessible records of training in case of government or hotel franchise audits. 
  • Security and technology. Utilize and monitor hotel technology systems, such as security footage, contactless room entry and texting, for evidence of suspicious or dangerous activity on the hotel’s premises, and alert authorities if needed.

The American Hotel Lodging Association and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign offer many other additional anti-trafficking resources to the hospitality industry. An experienced insurance broker with deep industry expertise can help hoteliers navigate the minefield of issues in human trafficking and ensure the business has the right risk management plan and insurance to avoid human trafficking liability.

Contact HUB International’s hospitality insurance experts to learn more about preventing human trafficking and protecting your business and team. 

1 The New Yorker, “Should hotel chains be held liable for human trafficking?” July 26, 2023.

2 The Exodus Road, “Human trafficking and U.S. hotels,” March 14, 2024.