The charity said Tui was “still tempting jetsetters” with experiences which are cruel to animals. “Many tourists and travel agents have stopped visits to venues like SeaWorld, but despite calls for Tui to do the same, they are still yet to change their policy,” it said.
The RSPCA singled out orcas and dolphins among a general campaign timed for the start of the school holidays. It added: “From posing with tigers, taking monkey selfies, visiting marine parks and swimming with dolphins, there are many animal experiences offered to tourists which sadly exploit animals and cause suffering.”
David Bowles, the RSPCA’s head of public affairs, added: “We have been calling on Tui to stop offering and promoting tickets to venues which keep whales and dolphins captive but we are deeply disappointed that they are yet to make any real, impactful change for animal welfare.”
Since 2023, The UK Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act has banned companies from advertising activities abroad that exploit wildlife and would be illegal in the UK. However, the RSCPA said the act “has never been implemented”.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) defines “specific unethical activities abroad”, including “where animals are kept in captivity or confinement, subjected to cruel and brutal training methods, forced to take selfies or are ridden, drugged and de-clawed”.
“Riding an elephant, swimming with dolphins, cuddling a tiger cub, or taking a picture with a monkey may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime experience - but all of these can often have very serious animal welfare and safety risks for tourists,” said Bowles.
Separately, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity recently produced a video highlighting the fact Tui’s major competitors, including Jet2holidays and easyJet holidays, have abandoned captive whale and dolphin excursions. The YouTube video leads a campaign entitled #WhoWouldYouRatherBookWith?
Tui’s Southampton shop was also the scene of a recent protest by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) earlier this month to highlight its continued sale of tickets to Seaworld Orlando and Loro Parque in Tenerife.
Peta said: “Tui has recently resumed flights from Southampton, providing more opportunities for people to explore the world, something imprisoned orcas will never get the chance to do.”
TTG has approached Tui for comment on the latest round of campaign activity.
