top of page
ANIMAL WELFARE IN TOURISM
Viewing lions on the plains of Tanzania, visiting an elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka or horse riding in the Andes mountains - can be wonderful experiences. But without appropriate safeguards, animals can suffer.
Understanding how tourism practices can impact on animals is key to identifying and managing the risk of animal-based experiences. This requires an understanding of animals and their needs, an ability to assess requirements and recognise that some activities with animals may no longer be acceptable.
Some UK tour operators estimate that 60% of their excursions involve animals.
We work in close partnerships with ANIMONDIAL, a unique consultancy working alongside travel businesses, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and academia to better manage tourism’s impact on animals, people and the natural environment through effective communication, education and strategic partnerships.
ANIMONDIAL provides impartial advice, practical guidance and ongoing support to mitigate risk, develop policy, establish standards, improve communications and advocate best practice, enhancing business benefits.
Their services include:
Product review I Risk mitigation I Selection criteria I Responsible product alternatives I Policy and strategy I Staff training and engagement I Effective communications on animal welfare I Ongoing impartial advice I Practical guidance I Access to trusted community-based NGOs I Viable responsible product alternatives I Advice to the traveller I Encouragement of responsible and sustainable travel
The starter kit has been designed as a guidance for small to medium-sized travel businesses that wish to maximise the benefit, and minimise the negative impact, of their activities on animal welfare and species protection.
A ComRes survey (2017) reports that 71% of people are more likely to buy holidays from travelcompanies that care for animals.
Thomas Cook reported in 2018 that more than 90% of its customers said that it was important
that their holiday company takes animal welfare seriously.
bottom of page