ATD Travel Services has stopped selling tickets to a number of animal attractions around the world following a four-month review.
The attraction tickets specialist’s updated animal welfare policy emerged following Thomas Cook dropping a number of tourist experiences featuring animals.
ADT’s Attraction Tickets Direct and DoSomethingDifferent.com brands have removed from sale attractions featuring elephants and dolphins that do not comply with its criteria.
The attractions and experiences that we removed from sale are:
Elephant Attractions
Thailand:
- Phuket Fantasea, Phuket
- Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary, Phuket
- Phang Nga Elephant Park, Phuket
- Namuang Safari Park, Koh Samui
- Khoa Yai National Park elephant ride, Bangkok
- Mae Sa Elephant Camp, Chiang Mai
- Chiang Dao Elephant Camp, Chiang Mai
South Africa:
- Elephant Whispers, Kruger
Malaysia:
- Kuala Gandah elephant sanctuary, Kuala Lumpur
India:
- Elephant Village, Goa
- Amber Fort elephant ride, Jaipur
Dolphin Attractions
Dominican Republic:
- Dolphin Island, Punta Cana
- Manati Park, Punta Cana
- Ocean World, Puerto Plata
Jamaica:
- Dolphin Cove, Ocho Rios
The company said: “In order to complete this review, we worked in association with World Animal Protection and are consequently recommended by them on a list of elephant-friendly holiday companies.
“We have pledged our support to end the promotion of cruel facilities worldwide.
“We will continue to seek guidance and support from World Animal Protection to ensure that the attractions we sell contribute towards the progression of animal welfare in all parts of the tourism industry, and that our approach continues to be a thoughtful and responsible one.”
ATD said: “We carefully review all the products we sell and regularly evaluate suppliers to ensure that their codes of conduct and values are aligned with ours and with the expectations of our customers.
“In addition to rollercoasters, helicopter rides and waterparks, experiences involving animals are some of the most popular attraction tickets that we sell.
“Our customers value the opportunity to learn more about animals and to observe and interact with them in a responsible and safe way.
“The welfare of animals at all attractions is of the utmost importance and we will only work with those organisations who meet our welfare standards.”