Safeguarding children, respecting human rights, improving working conditions and ensuring fair dealings with partners are of great importance to Kontiki – not only in our own business, but also throughout our entire value chain. Our promise is that we will only work with providers who comply with our human rights and child protection policies.
Code of conduct
Kontiki Reisen is part of DERTOUR Group, the tourism division of REWE Group. The REWE Group Code of Conduct also applies to Kontiki Reisen employees. This sets out the generally applicable ethical principles of behaviour for dealing with business partners and customers as well as internally for dealing with employees and colleagues. Our behaviour is fundamentally characterised by integrity. This includes, in particular, adhering to the law, conducting fair competition and being a reliable partner.
Supplier Code of Conduct
Ethical clauses have been included in each of our contracts with partner agencies and accommodation providers. The Supplier Code of Conduct must be signed separately by the partners and commits them to responsible, ethically correct behaviour. This means that social and legal framework conditions are incorporated into the contractual relationships with our business partners, in the same way as the values of our company. The Code covers the areas of compliance with laws, prohibition of corruption and bribery, safeguarding children from sexual exploitation, compliance with human rights and social standards, environmental standards and animal welfare.
Roundtable for Human Rights in Tourism
Our parent company, DERTOUR Suisse, is a founding member and board member of the Roundtable on Human Rights in Tourism. The Roundtable sees itself as a driving force and open platform for companies, organisations and institutions that are committed to respecting human rights in tourism. Kontiki Reisen and the entire DERTOUR Group are committed to respecting human rights in our Declaration of Principles.
Commitment to the safeguarding of children
Kontiki Reisen, DERTOUR Suisse and DERTOUR Group are members of The Code. «The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism» is an international code of conduct of the travel industry for the safeguarding of children. We are committed to upholding the rights of children and young people and to taking active and preventative action against all forms of exploitation and abuse. In line with the six criteria of The Code framework, we have initiated various guidelines and processes, train our employees, consult with partners, raise awareness among our travellers and report annually on the measures implemented.
Based on its policy statement on child protection, DERTOUR has developed a comprehensive internal child protection guideline. This is based on a risk analysis carried out in 2022 all along the value chain. In doing so, activities were identified that could be associated with risks for the protection of children’s rights. The Child Protection Policy therefore defines strict requirements for tourism products and activities. It also includes measures and processes that ensure the active implementation of these requirements.
- Homestays: Homestays offer a valuable insight into local life and promote local participation and value creation. If children are involved in homestays, strict child protection requirements apply.
- Volunteering: We refrain from offering volunteering opportunities involving interaction with children. Children need consistent carers with appropriate training.
What you can do
Taking photographs
Respect the privacy of others when taking photos while travelling. Photos should always respect the dignity and culture of the individual depicted. They should not be taken without consent. Be particularly careful when pictures show children or individuals in traditional dress of indigenous peoples, as in the case of the Sámi.
Look and see instead of looking away
Do you suspect a violation of human or children’s rights? Report it using this report form.
Grievances about human rights or environmental risks or due diligence violations
Our grievance procedure in connection with the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (LkSG) guarantees a trustworthy and at the same time transparent process in dealing with grievances about violations of human rights or environmental obligations. A grievance under the LkSG can be used to report suspicions of possible risks to human or environment rights or violations of due diligence obligation, such as forced labour, child labour, discrimination or the harmful contamination of soil, water and air, as well as detrimental noise and excessive water consumption which are linked to DERTOUR Group, its supply chains or its employees. Grievances can be submitted by employees as well as third parties. It is particularly easy to submit complaints about human rights and environmental risks or breaches of duty via the digital complaints system of DERTOUR Group as part of REWE Group – anonymously if desired.
In addition, the digital complaints platform enables smooth, data-protection-compliant communication between whistleblowers and the responsible departments of DERTOUR Group. Individuals who wish to submit complaints about human rights or environmental risks or breaches of duty without using a digital tool can also continue to contact the DERTOUR Group ombudsperson.
Customer complaints, for example about the quality of DERTOUR Group products and services or the services in the stores or travel agencies, are not considered grievances about human rights or environmental risks or due diligence violations. For these complaints, please do not hesitate to contact the customer service departments and hotlines of the company or brand concerned.
We expressly encourage employees and external parties to inform us of any suspicion on human rights or environmental risks or due diligence violations. Whistleblowers must not suffer any occupational disadvantages as a result of submitting grievances. The grievance procedure follows a defined process, which is also set out in the Rules of Procedure . Impartiality is guaranteed at all times; those involved in the procedure are not bound by instructions and are obliged to maintain confidentiality.