Kuoni parent Dertour Group drops excursions involving marine animals in captivity 

Kuoni parent company Dertour Group has removed excursions involving marine animals in captivity from its portfolio.

 

From this month, Dertour, Europe’s second-largest travel group, is no longer featuring activities such as swimming with dolphins and watching marine animals in trained performances, or any experience that requires marine animals to leave the water.  

 

The UK arm of Dertour Group comprises 11 specialist businesses: Kuoni, Carrier, CV Villas, Journey Latin America, Jules Verne, Kirker, Solmar Villas, Explore Worldwide, Inghams, Inntravel and Santa’s Lapland.

 

The company confirmed it had made the decision after a “comprehensive review” of animal-related products over recent months, which included internal discussions and dialogue with industry partners and animal welfare experts.

 

It called the move a “carefully considered decision” which meant the company did not support attractions that contradicted the natural needs and behaviours of marine mammals.

 

In a statement, the company said: “These exchanges revealed a growing consensus: experiences that involve direct contact with marine mammals or encourage unnatural behaviours no longer align with the values we want to uphold. The question wasn’t just about what we offer – it was about what we stand for.”

 

The company will instead focus on “respectful wildlife observation and support conservation efforts” through the Dertour Foundation and promote animal-friendly alternatives such as responsible observation of marine mammals in the wild and support animal welfare projects in destinations.

 

As an example, the group has revised its approach to elephant camps in Thailand and Sri Lanka. It no longer offers bathing or riding elephants and instead promotes responsible observation from a respectful distance.

 

The statement added: “We want to ensure that all our offerings meet the highest standards of animal welfare.

 

“We envision a future where animal experiences in tourism are respectful and responsible. Our goal is to create unforgettable vacation experiences while also respecting the well-being of animals.”

 

The move was welcomed by the charity World Animal Protection UK.

 

Wildlife campaigns manager Katheryn Wise said: “It is hugely welcome news that Dertour Group, who own 130 tour operators and travel brands, including Kuoni, have just announced their plan to stop selling tickets to marine parks from November.

 

“With tiny tanks and circus-style tricks, captive whale and dolphin entertainment has no place in the modern world."

 

She used the announcement to urge Tui to now “do the right thing” and also drop sales of tickets to watch captive whales and dolphins.

 

Other operators have already made changes to their sales policies.

 

Jet2holidays announced it was dropping tickets to attractions featuring orcas, whales and dolphins in March last year, soon after easyJet holidays also said it would no longer promote or sell tickets to any attraction or tourist activity where animals are exploited.

 

Expedia, Thomas Cook, British Airways Holidays, Virgin Atlantic Holidays and Club Med have previously ended the promotion of such attractions.

 

Travel Weekly has contacted Tui for comment.