Yes, in 2026, hotels can be held both criminally and civilly liable for human trafficking occurring on their premises under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). Liability arises if a hotel "knowingly benefits" from a venture they "knew or should have known" was involved in trafficking. This means if staff members observe "red flags"—such as guests requesting frequent room changes, pay-per-hour requests, or individuals not allowed to speak for themselves—and fail to report it, the hotel brand, the owner, and even the franchisee can face multi-million dollar lawsuits. Many states now mandate that all hotel employees undergo formal Human Trafficking Awareness training. It is a high-value peer tip to know that major brands like Marriott and Hilton have implemented strict "Zero Tolerance" policies and "See Something, Say Something" protocols, as courts have become increasingly willing to hold the hospitality industry accountable for "willful blindness" to these activities within their properties.