Thomas Cook has joined companies including Qantas and Tripadvisor in ending ticket sales to any attractions with captive cetaceans.
In 2018, the former Thomas Cook business stopped selling tickets to attractions featuring captive orcas. Its new digital business, which launched in 2020, has now included any destinations where dolphins and whales are captive.
In a statement, Thomas Cook’s chief executive Alan French said the company has noticed a drop in demand for experiences “that harm the environment or animals”.
“We know that for our customers going to a zoo or an aqua park is an important part of their holiday and we only want to offer those experiences when we’re confident they abide by the highest welfare standards and are not built on animal suffering,” said French.
He added, “We have taken the decision to offer only wild-watching experiences for whales and dolphins to help our customers experience these intelligent and sociable animals in their natural habitat.
“We have been seeing a strong return to bookings following the pandemic, but also a decline in the demand for activities that harm the environment or animals.
“Our customers care about these issues, and we are proud to be matching those sentiments. It has been an easy decision to make.”
Other companies to cut ties with attractions that use captive dolphins, whales and orcas include Tripadvisor, British Airways, Expedia, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas.
Travel agent to offer “wild-watching experiences”
Animal rights nonprofit organisation PETA said in response, “PETA is calling on all travel agents and operators to stop promoting and selling tickets to marine parks, as dolphins and other marine animals suffer when they’re confined to cramped concrete tanks.”
Meanwhile, PETA has obtained federal records revealing injuries to a dolphin and a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando.
PETA’s executive VP Tracy Reiman said the group “is calling on SeaWorld to protect both dolphins and trainers by sending these animals to sea sanctuaries – just as the Miami Seaquarium is preparing to do for orca Lolita”.
