People & Culture

From the local guides who offer cultural depth to the behind-the-scenes teams who help deliver our journeys, it’s the human connection that makes travel meaningful.

Their knowledge, care and commitment enrich the journeys we offer. That’s why we are committed to supporting the wellbeing, development and fair treatment of the people involved in delivering our adventures.

Cultural Respect & Partnership

• Respect first. We seek to respect the cultural traditions, stories and rights of the communities we travel through.
• Acknowledge Country. We practise culturally appropriate acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians on the lands we visit.
• Partner with purpose. We work with First Nations–led businesses to deliver community led cultural experiences, respectfully.
• Listen before we speak. We seek local and community input to guide how stories are shared and experiences are designed.
• Commit for the long term. We value enduring relationships with cultural custodians, not transactional moments.
• Name place properly. We increasingly use First Nations place names alongside colonial names in written and spoken communication.
• Educate with integrity. We train guides and staff with care and respect, drawing on appropriate cultural guidance.

Cultural Respect & Partnership in Action

AUSTRALIA

Our approach to First Nations engagement is built around relationships, listening and long-term partnership. Through our first Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) we established a structured approach to strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing cultural understanding across our organisation and creating opportunities for greater First Nations participation in tourism.

During 2025–26, the number of First Nations partnerships across our Australian operations grew from **17 to 33**. These relationships include Traditional Owners, First Nations tourism businesses, community organisations, Elders and cultural knowledge holders, and help inform how we develop experiences, engage with Country and share culture with travellers.

We work directly with Traditional Owners and First Nations partners in the destinations where we operate. In Queensland's Whitsundays, for example, collaboration with Ngaro Traditional Owners is helping shape guided nature and cultural tourism experiences on the **Ngaro Track**, incorporating Ngaro perspectives and connection to Country while creating opportunities for local training and employment.

Our commitment also extends to developing pathways for the next generation. In 2026, World Expeditions supported the **Native Nations Indigenous Youth Exchange**, bringing together **17 Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori young people** from Australia and Aotearoa. Developed with Indigenous partners, the exchange created opportunities for young people to spend time on Country, learn from Elders and cultural leaders, share culture across nations and explore pathways in tourism, leadership and community development.

Across our Australian operations, we continue to work with First Nations guides, employees, businesses and cultural partners to identify opportunities for employment, professional development and First Nations-led tourism experiences. Our approach is guided by the principle that **First Nations people should determine how their cultures, stories and Country are represented and shared.**

Reconciliation Action Plan Progress Reports

• Progress Report 1: 2025
• Progress Report 2: 2026

AOTEAROA

In Aotearoa New Zealand, our approach is guided by respect for te ao Maori, tikanga Maori and the relationship of tangata whenua with whenua.

Travellers are encouraged to engage with the Tiaki Promise, which provides guidance on caring for Aotearoa, travelling respectfully and understanding values including manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.

We are continuing to strengthen our approach to Maori partnership and cultural engagement across our New Zealand operations, with a focus on listening to Maori partners, supporting appropriate representation of culture and place, and identifying opportunities for deeper, long-term relationships.

Supporting Local Communities

• Keep value local.  We work with local guides, operators, accommodation providers and other suppliers to increase the economic benefits retained in the destinations we visit.
• Employ locally. We prioritise local guides, porters, cooks, hosts and service providers where possible.
• Stay local. We favour locally owned accommodation and services where appropriate and available.
• Support community leadership. Through the World Expeditions Foundation, we fund locally identified community and conservation projects.
• Support long-term outcomes. We work with local partners on initiatives designed to address locally identified needs and report on their progress and outcomes.

Community Empowerment in Action

Our Private Comfort Camps provide accommodation for walking groups while creating local employment and purchasing opportunities in the destinations where they operate. Depending on the location, camps also incorporate measures relating to energy, water, waste and site management.

Through the World Expeditions Foundation, we support locally identified projects addressing priorities including education, livelihoods, conservation and opportunities for women and young people.

Human Rights & Fair Treatment

• Zero tolerance. Our policies prohibit discrimination, harassment and exploitation.
• Support gender equity. We seek to increase opportunities for women in guiding and leadership roles.
• Support women-led initiatives. We support women-led businesses and projects through our operations, partnerships and World Expeditions Foundation initiatives.
• Promote fair treatment. Human rights, worker welfare and fair treatment form part of our Responsible Travel policies and expectations. We do not accept discrimination, harassment or exploitation in any form.

Human Rights & Fair Treatment in Action

• Porter Welfare Policy
• Celebrating Our Female Adventure Guides
   

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

 

• Support local benefit. We create opportunities for local employment and work with community and grassroots partners.
• Build awareness. We provide staff and guide training on cultural awareness, discrimination, inclusion and responsible travel practices.
• Improve inclusion. We continue to identify opportunities to make our trips more accessible and inclusive for travellers with different needs and backgrounds.
• Increase representation. We seek opportunities to strengthen representation in guiding, operations and leadership.
• Hire inclusively. We work to support inclusive recruitment and employment practices across our operations.
• Communicate inclusively. We aim to use inclusive language and representation across our communications.
• Zero tolerance. Our policies prohibit discrimination, harassment and exclusion.

 

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Action

We are committed to strengthening justice, equity, diversity and inclusion across our operations. From partnerships and employment practices to how we design and deliver trips, we continue to identify opportunities to improve participation, representation and inclusion.

We track progress through initiatives including employee engagement surveys, staff training, employment and leadership data, First Nations engagement and partnerships, and our policies on discrimination, human rights and workplace conduct.