Ahead of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30th, the global hospitality industry now has free access to the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s World Academy for Sustainable Hospitality anti-trafficking certifications, which has been donated by Marriott International.
The academy, which launched in March, offers transformational sustainability training for every hospitality department, developed by the industry, for the industry. It equips hospitality teams to translate the sector’s ambitious Net Positive vision into action, whereby more is given back to the destination than is taken.
The online training tool acts as a catalyst for behavioral change, building shared sustainability knowledge and understanding of how every worker should apply sustainability actions within their role, through tailored masterclasses for every department. This comes after alliance members called for the development of a holistic, practical training platform.
The tourism industry accounts for 1 in 10 jobs globally. Meaningful change starts with the decisions, actions and mindset of the millions of employees who work in hotels and resorts around the world. More than 80% of the alliance’s Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality relies on the actions and behavior of individuals and studies show that training is key to creating behavior change; in turn, adding value to work, increasing efficiency, improving ROI and reducing staff turnover.
Within the Academy demo site, hospitality workers can now access free Human Trafficking in Hospitality certifications for both managers and frontline staff.
The non-management training helps hotel staff recognize signs of trafficking and respond safely using a simple three-step protocol. It includes real-world scenarios and practical guidance for all frontline roles.
The management-focused course builds on this foundation, offering deeper insight into legal responsibilities, discreet reporting and how to lead prevention efforts across teams using trauma-informed approaches. These courses empower hotel employees at every level to identify and respond to trafficking risks, strengthening safety and awareness across the industry.
“Human trafficking has no place in our industry or our world,” Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. “By providing free, practical training to every hospitality worker, we’re not just raising awareness, we’re equipping individuals with the tools to take meaningful action. Empowering frontline staff and managers to recognize and respond to trafficking is a critical step in building a truly sustainable and responsible hospitality sector. This is about protecting people, enhancing the integrity of our industry, and making a tangible difference where it matters most.”
