What best practices does the Hotel Association of Canada recommend to help properties identify and prevent human trafficking, and how are frontline staff being trained to recognize and safely report red flags?

Through our national No Room for Trafficking initiative, the Hotel Association of Canada is helping establish consistent standards across the country - grounded in training, clear reporting protocols, and property-wide accountability. We encourage hotels to provide role-specific training for guest-facing teams so staff can recognize potential indicators, document concerns appropriately, and escalate safely through established procedures.

This work is rooted in awareness, consistency, and close coordination with local law enforcement and community partners. Today, more than 1,400 HAC member hotels are participating in No Room for Trafficking, committed to training all team members, alongside hundreds more properties across the broader industry. Together, we are strengthening prevention efforts nationwide.

Resources are available at hotelassociation.ca/no-room-for-trafficking, including many free training resources available in a wide range of languages. 

What metrics or benchmarks should hotels be tracking to evaluate whether their anti-trafficking and security policies are actually effective, and how can operators share best practices across the industry?

Human trafficking prevention is not a one-day campaign - it is a 12-month-a-year responsibility. Hotels should measure implementation and accountability through training completion and refresher rates, staff understanding of reporting protocols, and consistent adherence to escalation and documentation procedures. These indicators reveal whether policies are not only in place, but actively practiced across the property. Regular policy reviews and operational safeguards - including identity verification practices and security coordination - are also key indicators of program strength.

Best‑practice sharing is also essential. Through No Room for Trafficking, and through collaboration across industry associations and brand networks, hotels are sharing tools, training resources, and lessons learned to continuously strengthen standards across the sector.

At the Hotel Association of Canada, we work closely with the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, which operates the national Human Trafficking Hotline. In 2025, the Hotline received more than 5,900 calls - the highest number on record. The link between awareness and reporting is clear: as understanding grows, more potential cases are identified. Through our industry’s collective efforts, we expect that even more trafficking activity will be detected and ultimately prevented.

 The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking is a national charity that works to advance systemic change to prevent human trafficking and support victims and survivors. The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline (1-833-900-1010) is a confidential, multilingual service available 24/7/365 that connects victims, survivors, and concerned community members with local supports.

TORONTO, ON (February 26, 2026) — Choice Hotels Canada today announced two additions to its Franchise Development team: Kris Crundwell and Michael Durante.

Crundwell will serve as Regional Vice President, Development, leading the company’s franchise development efforts across British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. Durante will serve as Regional Vice President, Development, overseeing similar efforts in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador.

Reporting to Graham Marsh, National Vice President, Development, Crundwell and Durante will contribute to the company’s continued growth momentum following Choice Hotels International’s full acquisition of Choice Hotels Canada in July 2025. The acquisition enables Choice to directly franchise Radisson brands in Canada, including Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn, and Radisson Blu, in addition to the upscale Cambria brand and extended-stay offerings such as MainStay Suites and Everhome Suites.

“With Kris and Michael coming aboard Franchise Development, we’re adding considerable depth and expertise to our team across the country,” said Brian Leon, CEO, Choice Hotels Canada. “As we strive to take advantage of every opportunity for growth — both in expanding our Canadian presence and enhancing the value proposition we offer franchisees — I am confident they will be great additions, particularly as we work to increase our presence in Canada’s upscale space.”

Crundwell brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience and transitions to the Canadian team from Choice Hotels International. He previously served as Regional Vice President, Franchise Sales Development – Canada, where he led sales efforts for the Cambria and Radisson brands nationwide.

Durante joins the Franchise Development team after seven years with Choice Hotels Canada as Regional Director, Franchise Services, where he provided virtual and on-the-ground operational support to a portfolio of Ontario hotels. With more than 35 years in hospitality, he has held a variety of on-property and above-property leadership roles.

ARLINGTON, Va. – 26 February 2026 – Canada’s hotel industry reported its highest year-over-year occupancy increase since July 2025, according to January 2026 data from CoStar, a leading global provider of commercial real estate information, analytics, and online property marketplaces.

January 2026 (percentage change from 2025):

• Occupancy: 51.5% (+3.1%)
• Average daily rate (ADR): CAD188.98 (+4.7%)
• Revenue per available room (RevPAR): CAD97.35 (+7.9%)

Among the provinces and territories, Manitoba reported the largest increases across each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (+11.9% to 59.6%), ADR (+9.0% to CAD175.84) and RevPAR (+21.9% to CAD104.83).

Among the major markets, Edmonton registered the highest gains in ADR (+7.1% to CAD152.46) and RevPAR (+12.6% to CAD77.36).

Vancouver saw the largest occupancy lift (+6.9% to 64.5%).

For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit www.costargroup.com.

VANCOUVER, BC (February 17th, 2026) — The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) is pleased to reveal the finalists for the 2026 BC Hotel Association Awards of Excellence. These awards celebrate exceptional individuals and organizations across British Columbia’s hospitality

sector, highlighting their leadership, commitment to service and contributions to the industry.  Award recipients will be recognized at the Awards Gala on April 15th, as part of the 2026 BCHA Summit, taking place in Nanaimo. The two-day Summit gathers BC’s accommodation leaders to

learn, connect, and celebrate industry achievements.

“The BCHA Awards of Excellence are central to our work to elevate BC’s hospitality sector,” said Paul Hawes, President and CEO of the BCHA. “The leadership and commitment to service shown by this year’s finalists reflect the strength of our industry as a respected and rewarding

profession. We’re proud to recognize their achievements and celebrate them at the BCHA Summit.”

The finalists for the 2026 BC Hotel Association Awards of Excellence are:

Culinary Excellence | Sponsored by Helijet

• Andrea Alridge, Executive Chef, Janevca Kitchen & Lounge, Rosemead House

• Danai Hongwanishkul, Executive Chef, Kingfisher Pacific Resort and Spa

• Elmark Andres, Executive Chef, Lola, Bodega Ridge

Housekeeping Excellence | Sponsored by Ecolab

• Balcomo, a Ramada by Wyndham – Penticton, BC

• Summerland Waterfront Resort Hotel – Summerland, BC

• Wickaninnish Inn – Tofino, BC

Leader of the Future | Sponsored by Fortis BC

• Kayla Pedscalny, Assistant General Manager, Prestige Lakeside Resort Nelson

• Savannah Cannatella, Director of Rooms, Magnolia Hotel & Spa

• Quinn Luong, Assistant Housekeeping Manager, Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour

Sustainability Champion | Sponsored by Veritree

• Inn at Laurel Point – Victoria, BC

• Nita Lake Lodge – Whistler, BC

• The Parkside Hotel & Spa – Victoria, BC

Accommodation of the Year

• Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa – Royston, BC

• Old House Hotel – Courtenay, BC

• The Parkside Hotel & Spa – Victoria, BC

Guest Service Excellence

• Club Lounge Team, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel – Vancouver, BC

• Guest Experience Team, Nimmo Bay Resort – Mackenzie Sound, BC

• Front Desk Team, Balcomo, a Ramada by Wyndham – Penticton, BC

Hotelier of the Year

• Ken Hall, General Manager, Fairmont Chateau Whistler

• David MacKenzie, General Manager, Pemberton Valley Lodge

• Sarah Webb, General Manager, Oswego Hotel