TripAdvisor to stop selling tickets to animal attractions that promote cruelty to animals

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 7 years ago

TripAdvisor to stop selling tickets to animal attractions that promote cruelty to animals

By Kylie McLaughlin
TripAdvisor and Viator will no longer sell tickets to animal attractions that promote cruelty to animals.

TripAdvisor and Viator will no longer sell tickets to animal attractions that promote cruelty to animals.Credit: iStock

TripAdvisor have announced travellers will no longer be able to book tickets to any kind of animal attraction where tourists come into physical contact with captive wild animals or endangered species .

Endorsed by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and in conjunction with TripAdvisor-owned tour booking company Viator, this will be effective immediately for attractions that draw the most ire from animal protections agencies.

After reading 50,000 comments on the site, researchers found that 80 per cent of travellers left positive reviews of venues that treated animals cruelly - including elephant rides, tiger petting and swimming with dolphins.

Tripadvisor will continue to roll out the policy change across the site until early 2017.

They also intend to launch an educational portal linked to every animal attraction listing which will provide links and information on animal welfare practices, and to help travellers write more informed reviews about their experiences.

TripAdvisor hopes that this will help travellers make more informed decisions about the attractions they choose to see when visiting another country and improve the standards of animal care in tourism throughout the world.

As the World Animal Protection says "If you can ride it, hug it or have a selfie with a wild animal, then you can be sure it is cruel. Vote with your feet and don't go."

"It's clear that thousands of tourists are visiting wildlife attractions, unaware of the abuse wild animals face behind the scenes," Kate Nustedt, Director of Wildlife at World Animal Protection, says.

TripAdvisor is the latest travel company to take action against animal attractions, with a global backlash occurring across the industry in recent years.

Advertisement

Intrepid Travel banned elephant rides from its tours in 2014 and in August this year urged tourist to avoid lion walks and 'orphan' cubs at so-called conservation centres in Africa, which the company said fuelled the multi-million dollar hunting industry in Africa.

See also: Tourist fun is not fun for animals

See also: Do your homework before you ride an elephant

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading