Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), that proudly Aussie travel titan, has unfurled the second phase of its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) — and it’s no half-hearted gesture. This is a full‑throttle journey into meaningful reconciliation, backed by action, integrity, and a spirit that refuses to treat Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion as a marketing campaign.
First launched in 2022 with quiet resolve and big intentions, FCTG’s RAP has matured into a model of corporate self-reflection and national responsibility. This second iteration isn’t about empty corporate platitudes — it’s about walking the walk, alongside the Traditional Custodians of this ancient land.
“Fast forward to now, we’re proud to be working through the second phase of our Innovate RAP — stronger, informed, and committed to positive change,” said James Kavanagh, FCTG’s Australia Managing Director.
And it shows.
📊 Reconciliation by the Numbers — and the Heart
The second RAP chapter outlines 14 concrete actions and 68 measurable deliverables. If you think that’s just bureaucratic jargon, think again.
Last year alone, FCTG collaborated with 39 Indigenous-owned businesses, pumping $2.8 million directly into communities often left on the margins. That’s not virtue signalling — that’s economic empowerment.
🌏 Beyond Brochures: Respect for Land, Culture, and Custodianship
James Kavanagh_FCTG
Kavanagh doesn’t gloss over the privilege of selling Australia as a destination. For him and the wider FCTG family, reconciliation means acknowledging sacred lands, embedding cultural awareness into every business layer, and inviting customers to view their travels more respectfully.
“As Australia’s largest travel retailer, our role includes the responsibility of ensuring we do our part to respect the sacred nature of these lands, educate our people and customers, and continue to walk alongside the Traditional Custodians,” Kavanagh said.
And walk they have — not just in boardrooms, but on Country, with team immersions supported by travel partner Intrepid.
🗣️ Mailata Leads with Meaning
Lynne Mailata, the First Nations Inclusion Leader.
If FCTG has a conscience, its voice is undoubtedly Lynne Mailata, the First Nations Inclusion Leader. With steel in her resolve and wisdom in her words, she’s helping the business shift from intention to implementation.
“We’ve learned that true reconciliation isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about challenging ourselves to create real, lasting change,” Mailata stated.
Mailata oversees a wide-ranging tapestry of programs that ensure First Nations culture isn’t just celebrated during NAIDOC Week, but respected every day of the year. From educational modules for staff to a newly released First Nations Engagement Guidebook for suppliers, the reach of this initiative is truly national.
✅ What’s Already Been Done:
-
Formed a RAP working group and a Yarning Circle
-
Appointed a First Nations Inclusion Leader
-
Rolled out Cultural Awareness Training for leadership and staff
-
Introduced Acknowledgement of Country signage in retail stores
-
Hosted National Reconciliation Week panels and events
-
Organised On-Country immersions
-
Donated $65,000 to FareShare’s “Meals for the Mob” program
🎯 What’s Next on the Horizon:
-
Deepening Indigenous voices in core business strategies
-
Building long-term community partnerships
-
Hosting multiple reconciliation events each year
-
Investing meaningful budgets, not pocket change
-
Educating suppliers and industry peers alike
-
Expanding employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
🗺️ RAP Types and FCTG’s Position
For the uninitiated, RAPs come in four flavours: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch, and Elevate. Each represents a milestone, not a destination. FCTG sits confidently in its second “Innovate” phase — not quite Elevate, but certainly no slouch.
And they’re not doing this in isolation.
“Flight Centre Travel Group continues to be part of a strong network of more than 3,000 organisations that have taken goodwill and transformed it into action,” said Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia.
The collective impact is undeniably growing with three million Australians working or studying in RAP-aligned organisations.
“Learnings gained through effort and innovation are invaluable resources that Flight Centre Travel Group will continuously draw upon to create RAP commitments rooted in experience and maturity,” Mundine added.
✈️ A Travel Giant That Gets It
It would’ve been easy for a company as big and broad as FCTG to do the bare minimum — a social media post here, a nod to NAIDOC Week there.
But instead, they’ve opted for the road less travelled: genuine, grounded, and respectfully radical.
They’re proving that reconciliation isn’t a campaign — it’s a commitment. It’s not a moment — it’s a movement. And above all, it’s not about being seen — it’s about standing alongside.
So, the next time you walk into a Flight Centre store or board a journey booked through them, know this: reconciliation isn’t just in their mission statement. It’s on their maps.
By Michelle Warner
