Human trafficking in tourism

The prevalence of human trafficking in the tourism and hospitality industry continues to grow. While effective prosecution is one of the fundamental pillars of anti-trafficking strategies, States face significant challenges when attempting to prosecute potential offenders, leading to the comparatively low prosecution and conviction rates. This chapter examines the nexus, role and potential liability of the actors involved in the recruitment and exploitation of trafficking victims in the hospitality industry. It adopts a doctrinal methodology and, through legal reasoning and interpretation, it attempts to give effect to States anti-trafficking obligations, clarifying the constituent elements and parameters of trafficking, its application to the hospitality industry and the potential liability of the different actors involved.