ATLANTA, Jan. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- January is
recognized as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention
Month in the U.S. and IHG, one of the world's leading hotel
companies, has intensified its ongoing effort to fight human
trafficking. The company has introduced new programs, tools and
resources for colleagues to increase awareness and aid prevention
of human trafficking, including a free training available to all
IHG-branded hotels worldwide, including more than 4,200 properties
in the Americas.
Human trafficking, a form of modern slavery, is a $150 billion criminal enterprise that brings
suffering and injustice to an estimated 40 million men, women and
children across the globe, according to the International Labor
Organization. It is a domestic and international issue that is
present in communities of all sizes with individuals of all ages
and backgrounds trafficked and exploited for purposes including
sexual abuse and forced labor.
Elie Maalouf, Chief Executive
Officer, Americas, IHG, said: "At IHG, we condemn human
trafficking in all forms, and we are taking a strong stance in
partnership with our owners, elected officials and others in the
industry. We are committed to protecting our guests, communities
and owners from the impact of human trafficking as well as
maintaining the integrity of IHG's brands. We will not tolerate it,
or those who would enable it, in the IHG system of hotels, and we
are empowering all of our colleagues with the tools, resources and
support they need to combat this crime on every level."
Most recently, in December, IHG hosted dozens of colleagues from
local Georgia hotels for a group
training and discussion at the Crowne Plaza® Atlanta Perimeter at
Ravinia, located near the company's Americas headquarters in
Atlanta. During the event,
attendees learned about the work to fight human trafficking in
Georgia from First Lady
Marty Kemp, as well as support and
assistance programs available for survivors from Mary Frances Bowley, founder and executive
director of non-profit Wellspring Living.
"Our partnership with the hotel and lodging industry is forged
by a common goal: ending human trafficking in Georgia," said First Lady Kemp. "I
applaud IHG's efforts to train employees on identifying the warning
signs of trafficking and supporting survivors. Education and
awareness are key in this critical fight, and this training equips
staff with the potential to save lives."
Click here to view a highlight video from the December
training event, including comments from colleagues in attendance.
IHG has also released a new video featuring a one-on-one
conversation with First Lady Kemp and Colleen Keating, Chief Operating Officer,
Americas, IHG, where the two leaders discuss the importance of
public-private partnership in the fight against human trafficking
and progress in the state of Georgia.
Since its launch in summer 2019, colleagues in more than 2,300
hotels across the U.S., Canada,
Latin America and the Caribbean have completed IHG's online
anti-human trafficking training. The company expects colleagues in
all IHG-branded hotels in the region to have completed the training
by March 2020.
Additionally, IHG continues to work closely with a variety of
organizations such as the American Hotel & Lodging Association
(AHLA), Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and Georgia
Hotel & Lodging Association (GHLA) to share best practices,
coordinate efforts and attack the issue on all levels. The
company has also engaged in additional collaborative efforts, such
as commitments to ECPAT and the criteria of The Code, as well
as the AHLA 5-Star Promise. IHG
also actively supports non-profit organizations that provide
essential goods and services to support the recovery of human
trafficking survivors, and coordinates regular volunteer
opportunities for colleagues.
IHG is a global company with a presence in more than 100
countries. The company considers addressing human trafficking a key
component of its larger commitment to responsible business and at
the core of how it operates. Read more about the company's position
and its consistent standard across every market in its
global Human Rights Policy.
ABOUT IHG®:
IHG®
(InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is
a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands,
including Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels &
Resorts, InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts,
Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel
Indigo®, EVEN® Hotels, HUALUXE®
Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts,
voco™, Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts , Holiday
Inn Express®, Holiday Inn Club Vacations®,
avid™ hotels, Staybridge Suites®, Atwell Suites™, and
Candlewood Suites®.
IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns nearly 5,800 hotels and
approximately 865,000 guest rooms in more than 100 countries, with
over 1,900 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages
IHG® Rewards Club, our global loyalty programme, which
has more than 100 million enrolled members.
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding
company and is incorporated in Great
Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 400,000 people work across
IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.
Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and
www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest
news, visit: www.ihgplc.com/media and follow us on social media at:
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SOURCE IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)