APT Asia Pacific Pty Ltd
APT (Advanced Polymer Technology) is the leading global manufacturer of polyurethane-based materials, acrylic coatings and synthetic turf products for sporting and recreational applications. From…
read moreGlobal travel website TripAdvisor is launching a ‘no touching of wild animals’ policy, whereby it will no longer sell tickets to attractions where tourists come into physical contact with captive, wild or endangered animals.
Amid concerns over cruel practices and exploitation by tourism businesses, the policy will cover experiences such as swimming with dolphins, petting tigers and elephant rides, practices that animal welfare charities have long campaigned against.
With the rise of nature-based and ‘last chance’ tourism, the potential for human and wild animal interaction has never been so available, nor so fraught with possible conflicts. Around the world, especially where government management is either inadequate or absent, wild animals are vulnerable to operators eager to push the boundaries.
With limited controls in some locations, tourists can cuddle doped tigers, ride elephants traumatised by violent training or pose for photographs while hugging dolphins.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) spokesperson Stephanie Shaw explained that the organisation welcomed the move, stating “we applaud TripAdvisor taking this stance, helping to raise awareness. Elephant training, for example, is brutal and cruel.”
Richard Rees, Director of the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program, told The Guardian about what goes on during whale shark trips, advising “in some places, it’s a free-for-all.
“We see touching, riding, flash photography, obstruction – all sorts of bad practices.”
The Guardian reports that at the same time as these kinds of experiences have flourished, TripAdvisor has grown into the world’s largest travel website, with 690,000 attractions listed and 385 million reviews.
Attractions listed on the site have been bookable since 2014, when the company acquired bookings firm Viator. TripAdvisor believes hundreds of businesses could be affected by its policy although it will not say exactly how many, or name the companies that will be affected. And while it will not sell attractions that allow physical interaction with animals, it will continue to list them.
TripAdvisor’s moves follows that of other tourism companies including STA Travel and adventure travel company Intrepid both introduced a ban on elephant rides in 2014.
Amid controversy following the Blackfish film, STA extended its ban to SeaWorld.
Rees welcomes TripAdvisor’s move, citing the company’s powerful influence, adding “out in the real world, TripAdvisor is often the only voice that really scares operators.
“I like that we’ll have visitors with the right expectations about what good practice is.”
In addition to a ban on these ticket sales, TripAdvisor is introducing an education portal with information on animal welfare practices and advice and opinion from conservation charities. In future all listings that involve any interaction with wildlife will have a button that clicks through to the portal. The company hopes that users will be encouraged to write more informed reviews after reading this information.
The bookings policy and portal will be implemented in early 2017.
The implications of TripAdvisor’s policy may be far-reaching. Elephant riding in northern Thailand, for example, is a big money-spinner in a relatively poor area.
Danny Groves of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society points out that captivity is not being tackled advising “this is a positive step, but it does not address the issue of promoting trips to see whales and dolphins that are held captive. It would be great to see TripAdvisor take action in this regard.”
Steve McIvor of World Animal Protection which has partnered with TripAdvisor concluded “we hope it will only be a matter of time before TripAdvisor will also come to realise that it has to end sales to all cruel wildlife attractions, such as SeaWorld where the animals endure a lifetime of abuse and highly stressful training to perform.
“Until then we will provide the best education we can on TripAdvisor’s website to steer people away from cruel venues like these.”
Images: Elephant tourism in Thailand (top) and SeaWorld Orlando's former killer whale show at SeaWorld Orlando (below).
9th May 2016 - CAMPAIGN LOOKS TO NEW LAW TO END DOLPHIN CAPTIVITY IN NSW
22nd March 2016 - SEAWORLD USA TO MOVE AWAY FROM KILLER WHALE SHOWS
6th March 2016 - 2016 TRIPADVISOR TRAVELLERS’ CHOICE AWARDS REVEAL AUSTRALIA’S BEST BEACHES
5th October 2015 - THOMAS COOK CHALLENGED FOR OFFERING ANIMAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
7th January 2015 - ANIMAL RIGHTS CAMPAIGNERS TARGET SEA WORLD DOLPHINS
16th August 2014 - TRIPADVISOR ANNOUNCES TRAVELLER’S CHOICE AWARDS FOR ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
Click here to view our subscription options.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
APT (Advanced Polymer Technology) is the leading global manufacturer of polyurethane-based materials, acrylic coatings and synthetic turf products for sporting and recreational applications. From…
read morePerfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…
read moreAs of February 2023, Ungerboeck Software has rebranded as Momentus Technologies.
read moreWhether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…
read moreTicketworx (formerly House of Tickets) is Australia and New Zealand’s foremost ticket specialist servicing some 2,700 clients and producing in excess of 30 million per tickets per annum.…
read moreFelton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture and has been supplying premium seating solutions for all sporting, commercial, community…
read moreWith its sleek good looks and easy-to-use yet powerful functionality, Envibe is the premium fitness club software for the Australasian leisure, recreation and fitness industry. We are the most…
read moreThe Jump Pad is a safe, flat inflatable made in a variety of sizes which can be used indoor or outdoor. From 3mx3m up to a whopping 9mx21m. Markets include Indoor and outdoor playgrounds, schools,…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!