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Accor Hotels Accused of Facilitating Potential Child Trafficking Involving Ukrainian Children
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French hospitality group Accor has launched an internal investigation following allegations that some of its hotels may have accepted bookings indicating potential human trafficking and sexual exploitation of Ukrainian children.
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The claims were outlined in a report by US-based firm Grizzly Research, as reported by Reuters and Financial Times on March 20.
According to Reuters, researchers contacted more than 200 Accor hotels across 20 countries starting in early February, submitting booking requests deliberately designed to raise concerns.
These inquiries described underage girls aged 14–17 traveling with adult men under the pretext of a modeling event and included additional requests that suggested potential abuse. In several cases, the messages referenced items such as champagne, condoms, and lubricants being prepared in rooms where minors would allegedly stay.
According to Financial Times, 56 hotels responded to the requests, and approximately 80% of those indicated willingness to proceed without raising objections. The report states that at least 24 hotels showed no concern about the nature of the bookings.
It also alleges that all 18 contacted Accor hotels in Russia, along with several in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, agreed to host children described as being transported for adoption. Some hotels reportedly told the requester they would not share booking details with Accor headquarters, the media, or Ukrainian diplomatic missions.
Following the publication of the report, Accor’s shares fell by around 10%, according to Financial Times. In response, the company stated it “firmly denies any involvement in alleged systemic exploitation, human trafficking, or child abuse,” and confirmed it has hired an external firm to conduct an independent review.
Accor added that it will publish the findings of the investigation and “reserves the right to hold any parties accountable” if violations are identified. The company also emphasized that it regularly trains staff to detect signs of trafficking and conducts internal audits.
The allegations come amid broader concerns over the forced transfer of Ukrainian children since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to Ukraine’s “Bring Kids Back” initiative, more than 20,000 children have been deported, with just over 2,000 returned.
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights Maria Lvova-Belova on suspicion of unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.
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