TUI UK has confirmed it will continue to sell excursions to venues with captive dolphins. TUI UK and Ireland managing director Andrew Flintham told TTG Media that the company would not stop selling the attractions to around 25 venues currently holding approximately 400 dolphins as they believe it’s the consumer’s choice whether they want to partake and their customers should have that choice. Tui has clarified its stance following a petition from well over” 200 independent travel agents.
One facility TUI UK sells tickets for is Loro Parque on the island of Tenerife, which displays dolphins and orcas. Another is SeaWorld, Orlando. That facility has dolphins, orcas and beluga whales. TUI Group have just reported it ended the financial year 2023 with a significant increase in operating earnings. Revenue for the full year 2023 climbed by 25 per cent to 20.7 billion euros (previous year: 16.5 billion euros).
In October 2023, Marine Connection were delighted when the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill became law which will prohibit the domestic sale and promotion of wildlife experiences abroad such as Loro Parque and SeaWorld With 23 other NGOs, we wrote to the Secretary of State, calling on her to ensure that the Act will include all attractions abroad that contain captive whales and dolphins.
