A growing number of travel businesses are benefitting from ATIA’s Modern Slavery Collaboration.
They are being driven by a determination to lead and proactively meet consumer expectations while addressing the risks of harm to people.
While businesses with annual consolidated revenue more than $100 million must report on modern slavery risks in their international supply chains, many ATIA members are voluntarily engaging in the process.
“Travel businesses are taking this on because they want to lead and travellers expect it,” said Ingrid Fraser, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, ATIA.
“Larger entities have to report. Many others do not, but they are taking steps anyway. They deserve credit and they should not have to work it out alone in complex international supply networks.
“We work directly with members and subject matter experts on the practical side: how you identify risk, assess it and act when you find it. Our pathways work whether you are lodging a statement or starting from scratch.”
The Collaboration builds on the industry-first consortium Intrepid Travel and Flight Centre established in July 2023 and forms part of the Member Support commitment under Project A30.
It provides practical help including:
# Compliance support for larger members
# Shared learning connecting large and small operators
# Curated toolkits and updates from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Europe
# A forum run under clear competition law guidelines.
At its most recent meeting this month, members heard from Gary Shaw, a former New Zealand Police detective and international modern slavery expert, who investigated human trafficking undercover across 12 countries.
He presented on the risks to travel, tourism and related industries, and took questions from members on continuous improvement and collaboration.
It reinforces that businesses are taking modern slavery risk seriously, with a focus on preventing exploitation before it occurs.
“Travel businesses want to do this well, whatever their size,” said Robin Mellon, Project Manager, ATIA Modern Slavery Collaboration.
“They learn about the risks of harm through modern slavery from experts like Gary Shaw, who has worked these cases on the ground and share what is working with each other. That builds capability across the industry.
“Travel is confronting one of the largest challenges it has faced and the openness that participating members bring to the table is invaluable. They talk candidly about what is working and where they need help and that honesty lifts every business in the room.”
# ATIA’s Modern Slavery Collaboration has been recently featured in the Office of the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s ‘Maximising Impact: A guide to business collaboration’
