Preferred Hotels & Rresorts joins forces with Love146 in campaign to abolish child trafficking
Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest global collection of independent luxury hotels, recently announced a partnership with Love146, an international human rights organisation whose mission is to end child trafficking and exploitation. Confronting the reality that, according to the International Labour Organisation, there are more than 20 million enslaved victims, including millions of children, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has expanded its corporate social responsibility programme, GIFTTS – Great Initiatives for Today’s (Tomorrow’s) Society – by committing to help Love146 abolish child trafficking through a combination of financial and educational resources.
To kick-off the collaboration, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has made a US$ 20,000 donation to Love146 that will be used towards costs related to victim reintegration at Love146’s Survivor Care programmes in the United States and Southeast Asia. In addition, from November 2 through November 13, the company hosted an auction on Charity Buzz that invited travellers to bid on the opportunity to book one of 10 available two-night stays at five hotels around the world – Montage Beverly Hills (California), Montage Kapalua Bay (Hawaii), Montage Laguna Beach (California), The Siam (Bangkok), and Hotel Majestic & Spa (Paris) – with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to Love146.
Throughout the remainder of 2015, all Preferred Hotels & Resorts associates will undergo Love146’s Child Trafficking Prevention Training. Once equipped with the knowledge and tools on how to recognise and report incidences of human trafficking, the company’s associates will then personally train staff in front-line positions at member hotels globally that are interested in joining the cause.
“Our GIFTTS programme is designed to promote socially responsible actions by member hotels and associates, and I could not think of a more important, powerful cause to join than the fight against child trafficking and exploitation. We are excited to partner with Love146 to help better educate the hospitality industry and travellers worldwide on this issue and to facilitate opportunities for our associates and hotel partners to collaborate on supporting prevention movements within their local communities,” says Lindsey Ueberroth, president & CEO, Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
“Human trafficking is modern day slavery, and some of these victims are tragically sexually exploited in a hotel. This is preventable. It is a powerful message that a hotel company is committed to not only provide funding for our work but also to engage in helping us carry out integrated and thoughtful strategies. Preferred Hotels & Resorts is a true model for corporate social activism,” adds Rob Morris, president, Love146.
Believing in the power of love and its ability to bring about sustainable change, Love146 is helping grow the movement to end child trafficking while providing effective, thoughtful solutions. Founded in 2002, Love146 serves children from its offices in the United States, Philippines and the United Kingdom.