Thomas Cook drops some captive animal attractions
Thomas Cook has dropped some dolphin and elephant attractions after a report showed they did not meet official welfare standards.
The operator will no longer sell 16 attractions in five destinations: Thailand, India, Cuba, Turkey and Dominica Republic.
The attractions include Ocean World in the Dominican Republic, Sealanya in Turkey and Baan Chang tours in Koh Samui, Thailand.
The decision was made after an audit of 25 attractions revealed 16 did not meet standards set by ABTA, according to The Sunday Times.
The 25 inspections were carried out by Global Spirit last year, and the auditors will inspect the 90 captive animal attractions that Thomas Cook sells tickets for.
Chief executive Peter Frankhauser told The Sunday Times: "Our industry has not changed fast enough. By taking these attractions off sale, we are sending a message that we won’t accept anything less than full compliance with the welfare standards our customers would expect."
Virgin Holidays announced recently that it would no longer promote new animal shows, however, Thomas Cook is believed to be the first holiday company to cancel links with existing attractions.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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