Vision Hospitality Featured in Human Trafficking Awareness Video

Tennessee Valley PBS recently released the human trafficking awareness video Close to You that displays strong partnerships across all sectors in Tennessee that are banning together to fight against trafficking in their state. Vision Hospitality was featured because of the role that Vision’s DoubleTree by Hilton Chattanooga/Downtown hotel has played in raising awareness and acting in the community. Vision Hospitality is a valued partner of ECPAT-USA and has been a Code Member since 2013.

The DoubleTree’s general manager, Patty Martinez, and the President and CEO of Vision Hospitality, Mitch Patel, were both interviewed in the video and spoke about the responsibility that hotels have to fight against human trafficking. When Mitch Patel became aware of the human trafficking scene in the U.S. he did not sit back, but took initiative to implement training when onboarding new employees.  

“Our efforts to fight this crime need to be united.  As a hotel management company, Vision Hospitality Group has established training to raise awareness and policies to impede the traffickers in our communities that we call home,” said President and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group Mitch Patel. “As we continue to work together as a cohesive front, we know that every individual that is educated with the knowledge of this battle could potentially change the lives of so many that are imprisoned by this corruption. We are dedicated to ending human trafficking, and proud to stand with ECPAT.”

ECPAT-USA supports partners such as Vision Hospitality who join The Code and commit to taking six essential steps to help protect children. The steps that companies take are to:

1. Establish a Policy and Procedures
2. Train Employees
3. Include a Clause in Contracts
4. Provide information to travelers
5. Support, Collaborate and Engage Stakeholders
6. Report Annually

To learn more about ECPAT-USA’s work with Private Sector Engagement, click here.