Dertour drops dolphin shows so why is TUI still cashing in on cruelty?
News
Dertour Group, one of Europe’s largest travel companies and owner of well-known brands including Kuoni, has announced it will no longer sell tickets or promote attractions involving captive whales and dolphins.
This means Dertour is cutting ties with marine parks such as Loro Parque in Tenerife, which has long been criticised for keeping orcas and dolphins in cramped concrete tanks for entertainment. Seaworld will also be struck off the list of activities to choose from.
This move marks a positive turning point in the travel industry and is proof that the era of dolphin and whale shows is ending.
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. It is now time for TUI Group to take note and follow Dertour Group’s lead and help make this the last generation of whales and dolphins in captivity.
TUI Group still profit from at least 37 captive whale and dolphin venues, holding approximately 580 whales and dolphins in completely unsuitable conditions in the name of profit, fuelling the industry and giving social license to animal cruelty.
As more and more travel companies stop enabling this cruel industry, it is time for TUI Group to step up and do the right thing.
Marine parks are not conservation
Despite common belief, mainly due to marketing tactics, dolphin and whale entertainment has nothing to do with conservation.
In reality, the animals are bred or held in captivity for profit, not protection. Dolphins and orcas in marine parks spend their entire lives swimming in small, barren tanks that are thousands of times smaller than their natural ocean habitats. They are denied social structures, space, natural behaviours and freedom. This all leads to severe stress and suffering.
Many captive dolphins were originally taken from the wild, torn from their families during traumatic captures. Even those born in captivity endure a life of confinement and exploitation. There is no genuine conservation or educational value in making wild animals to perform tricks for tourists.
TUI Group is falling behind
While Dertour and other travel companies such as easyJet holidays and Jet2 are moving forward, TUI Group continues to profit from animal suffering, selling tickets to dolphin and whale shows under the guise of family fun. This is despite thousands of petition signatures, boycotts and protests proving that ethical tourism is on the rise. People don't want to pay for animal suffering.
TUI Group are out of touch with modern travellers’ values. They are risking brand loyalty as the public grows more aware of the cruelty behind captive animal entertainment.
If Dertour Group can do the right thing, so can TUI Group.
We need your help
We’re calling on TUI to follow Dertour’s lead and stop promoting dolphin and whale entertainment once and for all.
Please email TUI's CEO Sebastian Ebel to tell him that enough is enough.