Travel is richer and more meaningful when it includes trusted human connection.

Why We Exist

We live in a world overflowing with travel information, reviews, ratings and recommendations.

Yet many women travelling independently still arrive somewhere new feeling uncertain, anonymous or alone.

Friends of Friends Travel Connect was created from a simple belief: travel is richer and more meaningful when it includes trusted human connection.

Our purpose is to help women travel independently while feeling welcomed, connected and supported through carefully considered local relationships.

Our Core Belief

Technology can support relationships. Relationships can build trust. Trust can create belonging.

FFTC is therefore human-led and technology-supported. Technology and artificial intelligence may help us understand preferences, identify possible connections and coordinate introductions, but people remain at the heart of every decision.

The Friends-of-Friends Principle

For generations, people have travelled through networks of trust: a friend introduces a friend; a local connection opens a door; a stranger becomes a welcomed visitor.

FFTC brings this timeless human practice into the modern world. We extend the spirit of the friend-of-a-friend introduction through thoughtful matching, appropriate checks, shared expectations and community accountability.

A trusted introduction can strengthen confidence and connection, but it is not a guarantee of compatibility or safety. Trust must continue to be earned through conduct.

Our Principles

1. People Over Platforms

Technology is important, but it is not the product.

The heart of FFTC is the relationship between people: the traveller, the Local Friend Connector and the wider network through which connections become possible.

2. Independence With Connection

FFTC supports women to travel independently - not to surrender their choices or become dependent on another person.

Connection should add confidence, local understanding and companionship while respecting each traveller's freedom to shape her own journey.

3. Curated Choices, Not Information Overload

More information does not always lead to better decisions.

FFTC provides considered introductions and meaningful choices rather than an endless directory of people, places and reviews. We seek to understand what matters to each participant and identify connections that may genuinely suit them.

4. Trust Built Carefully

Trust cannot be created by an algorithm, profile or referral alone.

It grows through honest information, appropriate checks, respectful introductions, consistent conduct, shared experience and accountability when something goes wrong.

5. Choice, Consent and Boundaries

Every participant chooses their own level of involvement.

A Local Friend Connector might offer a welcome message, coffee and conversation, local orientation, a shared interest, an introduction or a more substantial experience. Participation is always voluntary and subject to clear agreement.

No one should feel pressured to offer more time, access, personal information, transport, hospitality or emotional support than they have freely chosen to provide.

FFTC is not an accommodation exchange. Any privately arranged hospitality or accommodation falls outside the ordinary FFTC connection unless expressly included in an FFTC service and supported by appropriate safeguards.

6. Safety as a Shared Responsibility

FFTC seeks to strengthen confidence and support safer interactions through considered matching, clear expectations and channels for raising concerns.

FFTC cannot eliminate every risk associated with travel or personal interaction. Travellers, Local Friend Connectors and FFTC each have responsibilities for exercising judgement, communicating concerns and acting with reasonable care.

7. Belonging Without Obligation

Many women travel alone without wanting to feel alone.

FFTC creates opportunities for welcome, friendship, cultural understanding and belonging. Connection is offered in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect, but goodwill does not mean unlimited availability, unpaid labour or an obligation to become friends.

8. Cultural Curiosity and Humility

Travel is not simply about seeing places. It is also about encountering people, communities, histories and different ways of life.

We approach these encounters with curiosity and humility. We avoid stereotypes, recognise that we may not understand everything and remain willing to listen and learn.

9. Inclusion and Dignity

We value people of different cultures, backgrounds, identities, beliefs, abilities, ages and life experiences.

Every FFTC participant is entitled to dignity, respect and freedom from discrimination, harassment, exploitation and abuse.

10. A Wider Social Purpose

We believe the opportunity to travel, connect and experience a wider world should not be limited to those who have always had the confidence, resources or circumstances to do so.

As FFTC grows, we aim to use our network, local knowledge and partnerships to create restorative and confidence-building opportunities for women who have experienced violence, disadvantage, isolation, disability, financial hardship or significant life disruption.

This wider purpose reflects our belief that meaningful travel and human connection can help strengthen confidence, agency, belonging and new possibilities.

11. Privacy and Discretion

Personal stories and information shared through FFTC must be treated with care.

Participation in the community does not give anyone permission to share another person's contact details, circumstances, photographs, conversations or travel plans without consent.

12. Good Faith and Fair Exchange

Members use FFTC for its intended purpose: genuine travel connection.

Where a service or experience involves a fee, the arrangement should be transparent and honoured. Community goodwill must not be used to pressure people into providing unpaid services, making purchases or entering undisclosed commercial arrangements.

13. Learning and Accountability

FFTC is committed to listening, learning and improving.

We will continue to develop our community, safeguards, technology and practices in response to experience, feedback, concerns and emerging needs. When something does not work as intended, we will seek to understand it and respond fairly.

Our Aspiration

We aspire to create a world where a woman travelling independently can arrive in a new city knowing that someone is expecting her, ready to welcome her and help her feel less like a stranger.

Friend → Friend of Friend → Trusted Local Network → Meaningful Journey

Community Code of Conduct

Purpose

This Code of Conduct translates the FFTC Charter into practical expectations.

It applies to travelling members, Local Friend Connectors and anyone participating in an introduction, activity, event or communication facilitated through FFTC, including any future social-purpose program.

Participation in FFTC means agreeing to follow this Code.

1. Treat People With Respect

Participants must treat others with dignity, courtesy and consideration. Harassment, bullying, intimidation, abuse, exploitation, violence and hate-based conduct are not acceptable.

• Communicate honestly and respectfully.

• Respect differences in culture, identity, ability, age, beliefs, lifestyle and experience.

• Avoid discriminatory, demeaning, threatening or humiliating language or behaviour.

• Accept that another person may hold different views or make different choices.

2. Be Honest About Who You Are and What You Offer

Participants must provide accurate and reasonably complete information relevant to an FFTC connection. Relevant changes that could affect an agreed connection should be communicated promptly.

• Do not misrepresent identity, background, experience or intentions.

• Do not conceal another person's involvement in an agreed meeting or activity.

• Do not claim qualifications, licences, local knowledge or capabilities you do not possess.

• Do not create false reviews, referrals or endorsements.

• Do not use another person's FFTC account or allow someone else to impersonate you.

3. Respect Consent and Personal Boundaries

Consent must be freely given, specific and capable of being withdrawn.

FFTC is not a dating or sexual-introduction service. Unwanted romantic or sexual attention, sexualised behaviour or pressure for personal intimacy is prohibited.

• Agree in advance on the general nature, timing, location and expected cost of an interaction.

• Respect a person's right to change their mind, leave early or decline an invitation.

• Ask before changing an agreed plan or including another person.

• Accept 'no' without argument, pressure or retaliation.

• Avoid intrusive questioning or unwanted physical contact.

• Respect boundaries concerning homes, families, relationships, finances, health and personal history.

4. Act With Reasonable Care

Participants are expected to consider their own safety and the wellbeing of others. A participant may end an interaction at any time if she feels unsafe, uncomfortable or pressured.

• Meet initially in an appropriate public place where practicable.

• Keep a charged phone and independent access to money, identification and transport.

• Let a trusted person know relevant plans.

• Do not proceed when circumstances feel unsafe or materially different from what was agreed.

• Avoid alcohol or other substances to an extent that impairs judgement or compromises safety.

• Follow local laws, health advice and reasonable safety directions.

• Do not ask another person to participate in illegal, dangerous or reckless conduct.

5. Keep Arrangements Clear

Before an interaction, participants should understand what has been agreed, where and when they will meet, approximately how long it will last, what is included or excluded, and who is responsible for bookings, costs and payments.

No participant should introduce unexpected costs or pressure another person to purchase goods or services.

Transport, accommodation or higher-risk activities must not be added casually to an arrangement. Where they are offered, participants must comply with relevant legal, licensing, insurance and FFTC requirements.

6. Protect Privacy

Information should only be collected or retained when reasonably necessary for the connection or required by FFTC.

• Do not share another person's contact details or identifying information without permission.

• Do not publish photographs, video or audio of another participant without permission.

• Do not post about an interaction on social media in a way that identifies the person without permission.

• Do not forward private messages or disclose personal conversations without permission.

• Do not share travel itineraries, accommodation details or current locations without permission, or use information obtained through FFTC for marketing, recruitment or an unrelated commercial purpose.

7. Use FFTC in Good Faith

Connections made through FFTC should be managed in accordance with the agreed service arrangements. A genuine friendship may develop, but no one should be pressured to move an FFTC arrangement off-platform.

• Do not seek money, gifts, accommodation, employment, immigration assistance or personal favours through deception or pressure.

• Do not promote an undisclosed business, cause or investment.

• Do not recruit people into another service or network without permission.

• Do not avoid agreed FFTC processes, fees or safeguards.

• Do not repeatedly contact someone who has asked not to be contacted.

• Do not use FFTC for fraud, scams, exploitation or any unlawful purpose.

8. Raise Concerns Early

Participants should tell FFTC promptly about behaviour that feels unsafe, coercive, discriminatory or seriously inappropriate; suspected fraud or exploitation; misuse of personal information; or any incident, injury or near miss connected with an FFTC interaction.

Concerns will be considered respectfully and as confidentially as reasonably possible. Information may need to be shared when necessary to respond to a serious safety concern, comply with the law or protect another person.

A person must not be disadvantaged or retaliated against for raising a genuine concern in good faith.

9. Responding to Breaches

Responses will take account of the nature, seriousness, frequency and impact of the conduct. Immediate protective action may be taken while a matter is being considered.

• Seek further information.

• Offer guidance or clarify expectations.

• Modify, pause or cancel an introduction.

• Restrict access to particular services, or suspend or end membership or Connector participation.

• Notify an appropriate authority where required or where there is a serious risk of harm.

10. Emergencies

FFTC is not an emergency, medical, security or crisis-response service.

If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent assistance, participants should contact the relevant local emergency service, police, medical service, embassy or consulate. FFTC should then be notified as soon as reasonably practicable where the incident relates to an FFTC connection.

Our Community Commitment

As members of the FFTC community, we commit to:

• Acting with honesty, integrity and goodwill.

• Treating others with dignity and respect.

• Respecting consent, independence and personal boundaries.

• Supporting safe, inclusive and culturally respectful interactions.

• Protecting privacy and personal information.

• Being clear about arrangements, responsibilities and costs.

• Raising concerns when something does not feel right.

• Taking responsibility for our own conduct and decisions.

• Helping build a community in which trust is earned and cared for.