Today, 1 August 2024, we joined forces with 14 other animal welfare organisations across 9 countries, uniting at TUI Group’s offices in Berlin to show there is support across Europe for them to stop selling tickets to captive dolphin venues.
Over recent years many travel companies have chosen to stop the promotion of this type of facility to their customers, including Virgin Holidays, Expedia Group, Jet2Holidays and British Airways, however, TUI has so far, refused to change their policy.
Margaux Dodds, Campaigns Director for Marine Connection states; “Consumer opinion on tour operators selling and profiting from activities that cause suffering to animals is changing due to mounting evidence that dolphins and whales do not fare well in a captive environment and should not be used for entertainment. The public now understand that by simply purchasing a ticket they are contributing to the continuation of this suffering for profit. Several major tour operators have listened to the evidence and no longer promote or sell these to their customers, yet TUI, despite continued appeals to follow their lead, continues to promote these cruel and outdated activities. This shows the company’s disrespect for the animals as individuals, also their lack of appreciation on the depth of public opinion on this matter. We ask TUI to look at their moral standing and stop supporting these activities, which is why we are supporting this event.”
Katheryn Wise, Wildlife Campaigns Manager for World Animal Protection UK who spearheaded the event said: “Today we’re all here to show TUI Group that there is mass support for them to end the sale and promotion of captive dolphin venues. For years TUI Group has been saying it is reviewing its animal welfare policy for cetaceans and listening to stakeholders, but it is ignoring all of the current research that shows that whales and dolphins suffer in captivity. TUI says it wants to offer its customers choice but then present a glossy image of a leaping dolphin and talks about family fun and ‘the thrill’ of seeing ‘the world’s friendliest sea creatures’ up close. That’s not offering an informed choice, it is peddling animal cruelty for profit.”
It’s time to change what is seen as ‘entertainment’ and prioritise the well-being of animals over profit. Consumer demand for ethical tourism is rising, and together we will not stop until captive whale and dolphin entertainment is truly a thing of the past.
