Duty of care is the legal and ethical obligation an organization owes to individuals entrusted to its supervision. In the context of travel planning, it refers to the responsibility schools, universities, churches, and corporations have to take reasonable steps to prepare for the safety of travelers during organized trips and activities.
The concept originates in tort law and varies by jurisdiction, but the core principle is consistent: when an organization assumes responsibility for a group of people -- whether students, employees, or volunteers -- it must exercise the level of care that a reasonable, prudent organization would in similar circumstances.
Duty of care in travel encompasses pre-trip assessment, traveler preparation, active trip awareness, emergency response planning, and post-incident documentation. Courts evaluate whether an organization met its duty of care by examining whether it identified foreseeable considerations, took reasonable precautions, and had adequate response plans in place.