Travel Businesses Grow Modern Slavery Collaboration

The ATIA Modern Slavery Collaboration is attracting more voluntary participation from travel companies, including smaller members below the reporting threshold.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand

Travel Businesses Grow Modern Slavery Collaboration

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Travel businesses are increasingly joining the Australian Travel Industry Association's Modern Slavery Collaboration, with many members below the $100 million reporting threshold engaging in the process. Gary Shaw presented on modern slavery risks to travel and tourism at the Collaboration's most recent meeting this month.

Why it matters

Businesses with annual consolidated revenue above $100 million must report on modern slavery risks in international supply chains, and the Collaboration offers compliance support and shared learning to the wider industry. Travellers increasingly expect businesses to address the issue, which is prompting companies to lead rather than wait for regulation.

Mandatory modern slavery reporting applies to businesses with annual consolidated revenue above $100 million, a threshold that many participating ATIA members fall below. The extraction does not specify how many members have joined or what results the Collaboration has produced.

The players

Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA)

The Australian Travel Industry Association is the national peak body for the travel industry, which runs the Modern Slavery Collaboration and works with members on identifying and acting on modern slavery risk.

Gary Shaw

Gary Shaw is a former New Zealand Police detective and international modern slavery expert who investigated human trafficking undercover across 12 countries.

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is an adventure travel company that, together with Flight Centre, established the industry-first modern slavery consortium in July 2023.

Flight Centre

Flight Centre is an Australian travel retailer that, together with Intrepid Travel, established the industry-first modern slavery consortium in July 2023.

The details

The Collaboration builds on an industry-first consortium established by Intrepid Travel and Flight Centre in July 2023 and forms part of the member support commitment under Project A30. It offers compliance support, shared learning, curated toolkits, and a forum run under clear competition law guidelines, with past presenters including Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, ICMEC Australia and the Australian Red Cross.

July 2023: Intrepid Travel and Flight Centre establish the industry-first consortium that the Collaboration builds on.
November 2026: Gary Shaw presents on modern slavery risks at the Collaboration's most recent meeting.

Industry Context

The Collaboration responds to the reporting obligations set by Australia's modern slavery legislation, which applies to businesses with annual consolidated revenue above $100 million. Many smaller ATIA members are engaging voluntarily, extending the compliance framework beyond the statutory threshold.

Travellers booking with ATIA member businesses may see more transparency on supply chain practices as participation grows. Those planning trips can ask providers directly about their modern slavery policies before booking.

The takeaway

Travel businesses are moving beyond compliance by sharing tools and learning across the industry. Consumers can support this shift by asking providers how they manage modern slavery risk.