Sabre Establishes “Passport to Freedom” as Part of Commitment to Fight Human Trafficking Worldwide

SOUTHLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Sabre Holdings, a global travel technology company, today launched Passport to Freedom, its comprehensive initiative seeking to unite the travel and tourism industry in the fight against human trafficking. Announced by Sabre Holdings Chairman and CEO Sam Gilliland, actress and advocate Jada Pinkett Smith, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow, and Tekla Roberts, a human trafficking survivor and program advocate, the initiative aims to raise awareness about human trafficking issues; advocate for legislative change; and provide opportunities for leaders in government, travel and non-profit organizations to collaborate on an issue affecting up to 27 million people globally.

Sabre has a presence with all segments of the travel sector from agents and airlines to tour services and travelers, and everything in between, putting us in a unique position to act as a driving force in raising awareness for this cause, said Gilliland. Human trafficking impacts countries around the world, including every major city in the United States. Passport to Freedom is part of our effort to rally the travel and tourism industry to not only end these crimes, but to also help those who are affected rebuild their lives.

Passport to Freedom addresses these issues by focusing on three primary objectives: to educate, collaborate and advocate. The program will also include a long-term scholarship and employment program providing job training to human trafficking survivors for careers in the travel and tourism industry.

Additional elements include:

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood has launched an initiative to address the role of transportation in human trafficking. Under his direction, the Departmentis training 55,000 DOT employees in the U.S. and abroad. The Department is also working with the transportation industry to raise awareness about the issue.

We are working with all our modes of transportation to help stop the flow of human trafficking, but we cant do it alone, said Secretary LaHood. Raising awareness about human trafficking can save lives, if everyone gets involved. Public/private initiatives like the one Sabre is launching can make a real difference in ending this terrible crime.

Secretary LaHood sent a video message of support to attendees of a workshop Sabre hosted on Thursday to discuss and develop solutions to human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a $32 billion trade, making it one of the most lucrative, widespread and fastest-growing global crimes. The travel and tourism industry is often an unwilling and unknowing participant in these crimes as millions are trafficked within and across domestic and international borders and kept in hotels or other public housing for commercial sex or forced labor each year.

Actress and advocate Jada Pinkett Smith, who has testified before Congress appealing for federal funding to assist human trafficking victims, also took part in several events Sabre hosted on Thursday.

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Sabre Establishes “Passport to Freedom” as Part of Commitment to Fight Human Trafficking Worldwide