ECPAT-USA

Vantage Hospitality Group Joins the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking by Signing the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct

 

Las Vegas, NV -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/11/2014 -- Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc., a Top 10 hotel company with over 1,000 independently owned and operated hotels around the globe, joined ECPAT-USA in the fight against child sex slavery at the source by signing the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code).

The Code is a set of guidelines travel and tourism companies implement to put in place policies and programs to prevent and react to instances of child sex trafficking. Vantage Hospitality Founder, President & CEO Roger Bloss and COO/CFO Bernie Moyle officially signed The Code at Vantage's annual International Educational Conference & Trade Show on December 11 in Las Vegas. Vantage joins over 30 industry leaders in the United States by signing The Code.

In the United States, at least 100,000 American children are trafficked within our own borders and another 200,000–300,000 are at risk each year. Globally, there are 21 million people around the world enslaved. With the growing use of the Internet as a tool for the recruitment and sale of children, child trafficking is moving off the streets. Traffickers move across cities and countries using air and ground transportation companies and use hotels as venues to abuse victims, without the knowledge of owners. The travel and tourism industry is one of a few industries that come across these victims.

Vantage's signing will help to change this — when the travel sector and traveling public are trained to identify instances of trafficking, exploiters no longer feel anonymous and risk-free when they exploit victims.

"As business owners, community members and fellow human beings, it is our job to put a stop to the horrific crime of sex trafficking. Hotel owners are uniquely situated to identify this crime and until there is no longer a need for The Code, we will encourage our members to become educated about this issue and work with their local law enforcement to put an end to this exploitation," said Bloss.

As a signatory of The Code, Vantage will create a policy against the sexual exploitation of children, raise awareness among its members, and report annually. They will use their voice to inform members about the important role travel buyers and suppliers play in protecting children from exploitation.

"We are so excited to welcome Vantage as a Member of The Code," said Michelle Guelbart, MSW, Director of Private Sector Engagement for ECPAT-USA. "This year we trained over 100,000 travel industry associates and Vantage's Membership will lead to a huge growth in our outreach."

About ECPAT-USA
ECPAT-USA is the leading policy organization in the United States seeking to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children through awareness, advocacy, policy, and legislation. ECPAT-USA is a member of the ECPAT International network, with offices in 73 countries. For more information visit www.ecpatusa.org.

About Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Coral Springs, FL, Vantage Hospitality Group, with over 1,000 hotels independently owned and operated, is the only hotel company to be ranked on the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Inc. 500/5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies. Vantage Hospitality's first hotel brand, Americas Best Value Inn, is a leader in the limited-service segment (including Value Inn Worldwide and Canadas Best Value Inn) throughout North America and is the world's 10th largest hotel chain. Lexington by Vantage (including Lexington Inn, Lexington Hotel and Lexington Legacy) is Vantage's midscale to upscale brand, with locations worldwide. In July 2014, Vantage entered into an agreement to acquire the Jameson Inns & Suites, Country Hearth Inns & Suites, America's Best Inns & Suites, 3 Palms Hotels & Resorts, and Signature Inn brands. Visit www.ABVI.com, www.LexingtonHotels.com, and www.VantageHospitality.com for more information.