An animal protection group has claimed victory as Expedia agreed to stop selling holidays that involve shows by performing dolphins and whales.
Expedia Group said in a tweet: “We recently adjusted our animal welfare policy. As a result, attractions and activities that involve performances by or interactions with dolphins and other cetaceans will no longer be available on our sites.”
The company told the PA news agency that the change “will take time to implement and we intend to complete the process by 2022”.
The Expedia website says: “We prohibit activities that feature interactions with or performances by dolphins, whales, and other cetaceans.
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“Seaside sanctuaries that provide captive animals with a permanent seaside living environment are allowed if they are accredited and do not feature interactions or performances.”
Wildlife charity World Animal Protection voiced hope that the “amazing news” would trigger change throughout the industry.
Campaign manager Katheryn Wise said: “Travel companies play a huge role in driving captive dolphin entertainment and as one of the largest travel companies in the world we are delighted that Expedia Group are making a stand.
“It’s time for other travel giants like Tui to do the right thing and follow suit.”
World Animal Protection pledged to continue campaigning “to stop the cruel commercial exploitation of dolphins and other wildlife by tourism and other industries that profit from their suffering”.
Virgin Holidays said in 2019 that it would no longer sell tickets to such attractions and experiences.
Intrepid Travel prompted other companies to follow suit when it ceased all holiday activities that involved elephant rides in 2014.
Abta updated its animal welfare guidelines in January 2020 to class activities with captive elephants and tourist contact or feeding of great apes, bears, crocodiles or alligators, orcas, sloths and wildcats as unacceptable.
Photo: Irina Kurnosova/Shutterstock.com
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