At Flight Centre, our purpose is to open up the world for those who want to see. In order to do so, we need to be responsible for the future and the role we play in it. We are committed to promoting and selling travel that respects human rights, the environment, and social equality – we have embodied this promise in our Responsible Travel Charter.

The Responsible Travel Charter is built on four pillars:

Social: Build a brighter future in the communities where we work, live and travel, promote closer ties and respect among people and cultures, and offer a helping hand in times of need.
Environmental: Support tourism that promotes environmental awareness, conserves and protects the environment and respects wildlife
Wildlife: Understand and prevent animal cruelty from being a part of tourism
Economic: Make a positive contribution to the economies of the destinations where we work, live and travel

Some of our achievements since the adoption of the charter include: Auditing over 10,000 suppliers to assess animal welfare practices, forming partnerships with Indigenous groups to promote cultural tourism, creating projects aimed at increasing awareness of the child protection issues of orphanage tourism and appointing a network of Worldwise ambassadors to help educate our colleagues and customers

You can read more about how we are working towards the goals of the Responsible Travel Charter here.

Join us on our journey of responsible travel

With a little conscious thought and preparation, you can enjoy amazing holidays while having a positive impact on the places that you visit. Just five simple actions can make a big difference.

1. CONSERVE WATER
It’s not only Cape Town that suffers from a shortage of clean water, but much of the rest of the world.  Do your part by reusing hotel towels, taking short showers and turning off the tap.

2. REDUCE YOUR WASTE
Leave a place as you found it. Ditch the plastic bag, refuse unnecessary packaging, dispose of your waste responsibly and pick up rubbish too. Recycle as much as possible.

3. GO LOCAL
Enjoy locally owned and operated restaurants and bars. Shop in the local markets and stores and use the expertise of local guides when booking tours or activities.

4. CARE ABOUT WILDLIFE
Take a ‘look but don’t touch’ approach to wildlife activities and avoid any attractions that involve ‘performance’, riding or closely engaging with wild animals. As a rule, any activity that an animal would not do in the wild is the result of exploitation.

5. RESPECT LOCAL PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Along with obeying local laws, always dress and behave in a way that’s respectful to the local community. Learn about people’s way of life, be polite and keep an open mind. Ensure that your interaction with locals, including children, is appropriate and thoughtful.