Human trafficking is one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world today, and it exists in every country where business travel takes place. That reality gives the travel industry both a responsibility and an opportunity to help drive meaningful change.
BCD uses our global reach, partnerships and expertise to help prevent human trafficking and modern slavery and promote responsible business travel and people safety.
Why business travel plays a role
Modern slavery includes forced labor, exploitation and the trafficking of adults and children through coercion or deception. Traffickers often misuse global transportation and accommodation networks to move and exploit victims. Airports, flights, hotels and ground transport can all become part of that chain. With heightened travel seasons like the holidays or major sports or arts events, incidents of human trafficking tend to surge, making it all the more important for travelers to be vigilant and prepared to act.
Because business travel operates across borders and industries, it has the power to interrupt these patterns. Travel programs that prioritize awareness, education and ethical standards can help reduce risk and support prevention efforts worldwide.
For companies that move people globally, this is not a theoretical issue, it’s a practical one.
BCD’s ongoing commitment
BCD has taken a long-term, global approach to combating human trafficking. Since 2017, we’ve partnered with leading organizations such as ECPAT and A21 to strengthen prevention and accountability efforts. ECPAT works to protect children from sexual exploitation worldwide through advocacy, research, and policy change. A21 is an international nonprofit dedicated exclusively to fighting human trafficking by rescuing victims, providing aftercare, and driving awareness campaigns. Together, these partnerships help us prevent exploitation, educate stakeholders, and promote industry responsibility.
Internally, our Human Trafficking Awareness Committee, supported by executive leadership, brings together employees from across regions and functions. The committee works with external experts, collaborates with non-profit organizations and helps translate knowledge into action across our business and client ecosystem.
Our involvement in initiatives such as A21’s Global Freedom Summits reflects this commitment. These summits bring together business leaders, policymakers and advocates to share insight, align efforts and accelerate progress. They reinforce an essential truth: preventing human trafficking requires collaboration across industries and borders.
Learning and leading through partnerships
In October, committee member and Director of Sustainability Pippa Welch joined A21’s Global Freedom Summit in London, connecting with global leaders and learning strategies to combat trafficking. The Summit focused on the growing challenge of online child exploitation. The event included a confronting film that revealed the realities of this crime and brought together experts from Border Force, the Home Office, and a local head teacher to facilitate a powerful discussion.
“The evening opened my eyes to the rapidly expanding ways this crime is using technology to take advantage of vulnerable young people–often in ways that are increasingly difficult for law enforcement and governments to address. In this context, technology makes the world a lot smaller and exploitation so much easier. It also showed that these issues aren’t happening elsewhere, but in every country. Hearing their insights and learning from the A21 team gave me a sense of hope that progress is possible and reaffirmed that education and prevention must be a core focus.
A21’s ability to bring different perspectives and voices together to address these difficult topics is truly inspiring. The Global Freedom Summit was an impactful event, and I would encourage you to watch their short film packed full of advice and expertise that leaves you feeling more empowered to take informed steps towards prevention.”
Pippa Welch
Director, Sustainability at BCD Travel
In November, committee member Julie Stuckey represented BCD at the Counter-Trafficking Summit hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in partnership with A21. After taking her place as part of a panel discussion on From Awareness to Action: How Businesses Are Leading the Fight Against Exploitation, Stuckey, Director of Product Marketing at BCD, said:
“I truly enjoyed connecting with and learning from A21’s inspiring team: Christine Caine, Nick Caine, Markee Johnson and Charlie Blythe. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Cindy Hyde-Smith and Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch shared how they are driving legislative and systemic change here in the U.S. We also heard from experts on topics ranging from technology’s role in combating online exploitation to building slavery-free business cultures. But the most impactful? A moving spoken word piece by survivor Esteban was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. It was an incredible gathering of leaders, advocates, and policymakers united in the fight against human trafficking!”
From awareness to action
Human trafficking is complex, but progress happens when organizations act consistently and collectively, shaping one policy, one partnership and one conversation at a time.
For BCD, that means continuing to invest in education, supporting trusted partners and encouraging informed conversations throughout the travel ecosystem. Awareness alone does not create change. Action does.
Guidance for travel arrangers and travel managers
Travel arrangers and travel managers play an important role in helping employees travel responsibly and safely. As part of your duty of care, consider sharing the following guidance with travelers before and during trips.
If a traveler believes they may be witnessing a situation involving human trafficking, they should be advised to:
- Not intervene directly. Never confront suspected traffickers or victims, as this could put them at risk.
- Stay observant. Encourage travelers to note details such as location, timing, behaviors and any relevant descriptions, without drawing attention to themselves.
- Report concerns discreetly. Travelers can alert local authorities, airport security, airline staff or hotel management, depending on where the situation occurs.
- Use trusted reporting channels. Organizations such as A21 and ECPAT offer guidance and secure reporting options that can be used when appropriate.
By equipping travelers with clear, practical guidance, travel managers can help support awareness while prioritizing employee safety and responsible action.