The charity said: “While Tui Group claims not to sell tickets to venues that commercially breed whales and dolphins, breeding was found to be taking place at a number of venues sold by the company."
In late 2024, Tui Group updated its animal welfare policy, saying it would “set a new benchmark for cetacean welfare in the tourism industry”, including prohibiting breeding for commercial purposes.
However, in February, it added: “Breeding may be deemed acceptable if it supports the natural composition of social groups, encourages positive behaviours, or serves conservation efforts.”
In its report, Stories of Suffering: What Tui Group isn’t telling you, issued this week, WAP said Tui was “greenwashing customers by publishing a policy but not sticking to it”.
The 32-page document singled out Tenerife’s Loro Parque and SeaWorld parks – both sold by Tui – saying Loro Parque had stated in February it no intention of stopping the breeding of orcas in captivity. WAP said SeaWorld had “stopped breeding orcas but still breed dolphins”.
WAP said Tui sold more than 400 experiences featuring around 589 captive whales and dolphins in “at least” 37 venues. It accuses Tui of “misleading their customers with animal welfare standards that they do not meet”.
Tui remains the only major travel group to sell attractions with captive cetaceans to UK consumers. The industry has largely self-regulated on the issue since Abta withdrew its advice in 2019, saying evidence was split on how to manage the welfare of creatures in captivity.
WAP claimed: “Companies like Tui Group are getting left behind,” adding: “Responsible travellers, ethical companies and animal protection groups have made it very clear – this must be the last generation of cetaceans in captivity. But this can only happen if Tui Group stops propping up this cruel industry.”
The charity claims one dolphin can earn an attraction up to £1.5 million a year and said: “Travel agencies and tour operators are huge contributors that keep the marine park industry in business.”
The report put the average cost of a ticket to a venue with captive cetaceans at around £122 for an adult and £102 for a child, “making it extremely lucrative for Tui Group to appeal to family audiences”.
Tui told TTG: “We don’t have a comment to provide at this stage.”
Late last year and into early 2025, WAP surveyed 2,517 people across five countries, including the UK, who had either booked with Tui in the past three years or planned to book with Tui in the next three years.
More than four in five respondents (84%) said Tui should stop selling tickets to marine parks that breed dolphins. Moreover, 83% of current or potential customers surveyed said they would consider booking with Tui if it stopped offering captive dolphin attractions, falling to 49% if it didn’t.
Abta, meanwhile, said its animal welfare guidance set out basic standards of care, adding: “These apply to all types of animal activities, including dolphins in captivity.”
Abta is in consultation with the government on how to implement the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act. The act was passed by parliament in 2023 but has still not been implemented.
