Our Commitment to Ethical Practices
Distant Journeys is dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical standards in all aspects of our business. We are fully committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains. Every journey we offer is built on integrity, fairness, and respect for human rights. This statement outlines the actions taken during the financial year from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 to uphold these principles.
Who We Are and Our Supply Network
Distant Journeys is an award-winning tour operator providing expertly crafted escorted holidays to some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Our meticulously designed itineraries feature a high standard of accommodation, immersive excursions, and outstanding service from experienced tour managers.
Operating across multiple continents, we offer holidays to destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, and beyond. To deliver exceptional experiences, we collaborate with a diverse network of suppliers, including accommodation providers, transport companies, and excursion operators. Given the international scope of our operations, we acknowledge the complexities of our supply chains and the necessity for vigilant oversight to mitigate modern slavery risks.
Identifying and Assessing Risks
As a company working across various regions and industries, we conduct rigorous risk assessments to evaluate potential vulnerabilities related to modern slavery. Our assessment framework considers:
- Country-specific data and human rights records.
- Industry-specific risks, particularly in hospitality, transportation, and manual labour sectors.
- Supplier relationships and operational structures to categorise risk levels as high, medium, or low.
Certain industries within our supply chain inherently carry higher risks, requiring heightened scrutiny and proactive measures to prevent exploitation.
Strengthening Supplier Oversight
Distant Journeys follows a structured due diligence process to assess and monitor supplier compliance with ethical standards. This includes:
- Mapping supply chains to identify potential risks associated with specific products, services, or regions.
- Evaluating new suppliers to ensure they adhere to legal and ethical requirements.
- Conducting ongoing supplier reviews, with enhanced monitoring for high-risk partners.
- Implementing corrective action plans where necessary to address any identified concerns.
Policies, Training, and Awareness Initiatives
Upholding integrity and transparency is fundamental to our approach. We ensure that both employees and suppliers understand their responsibilities in preventing modern slavery through clear policies and training.
- Ethical Policies: Our Modern Slavery and Whistleblowing policies outline our zero-tolerance approach and expectations for all employees and suppliers.
- Staff Training: Employees receive thorough training on recognising and addressing modern slavery risks, including fair purchasing practices, identifying signs of exploitation, and reporting procedures.
- Awareness Campaigns: We actively promote awareness through internal communications. Additionally, our team participates in staff familiarisation trips, where they assess local suppliers and perform due diligence whilst on tour. These trips provide first-hand insights into working conditions, supplier operations, and any potential risks, allowing us to make informed decisions about ethical partnerships.
Monitoring Our Progress
To measure the effectiveness of our initiatives, we have established key performance indicators (KPIs), including:
- Introduction of mandatory modern slavery training for all employees as part of their induction and ongoing development.
- A supplier verification system ensuring all new partners meet ethical compliance standards before engagement.
- Annual reassessments of existing suppliers to identify any emerging risks.
- Continuous refinement of our monitoring processes to improve overall impact.
Moving Forward
Distant Journeys remains unwavering in its commitment to identifying, preventing, and addressing modern slavery risks. We will continue to enhance our policies, supplier engagement, and awareness initiatives to ensure that ethical practices remain at the heart of our operations.
