Expedia changed its animal welfare policy. The travel company will now ban selling holiday packages that involve “activities that feature interactions with or performances by dolphins, whales, and other cetaceans”.
However, Expedia’s animal welfare policy has a few limitations. For instance, it allows seaside sanctuaries that have permanent seaside living environment for animals. However, the seaside sanctuary should have proper accreditation. And also, wildlife shouldn’t interact or perform to guests.
Animal Welfare Policy
There were several protests against animal exploitation. Expedia’s new policy means that the company will no longer sell tickets at SeaWorld and other “swim with dolphins” attractions. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Expedia’s new policy was five years in the making. It comes after five years of meetings and campaigns.
In PETA’s website, “IN ‘swim with’ programs, dolphins are confined to barren tanks or makeshift lagoons with no choice but to swim in endless circles”. It added that “Many die prematurely because of the stressful conditions of captivity”.
Katheryn Wise, who works as campaign manager for Wild Animal Protection, also said that her organization has been pushing for such change for years. She said that “This is amazing news and something that we have been campaigning for since 2019”. Wise added that the Wild Animal Protection was happy with Expedia’s move.
She explained that “Travel companies play a huge role in driving captive dolphin entertainment and as one of the largest travel companies in the world we are delighted that Expedia Group are making a stand”.
Expedia and Other Companies Stand Against Whale and Dolphin Exploitation
Expedia isn’t the only company that barred customers from buying travel packages involving whales and dolphins as attractions. In 2019, Virgin Holidays ended sales and promotion of attractions featuring captive whales and dolphins.
Richard Branson, Virgin Group’s founder said that “Many no longer consider whale and dolphin shows and ‘swim withs’ to be appropriate”. He added that “most would rather enjoy these magnificent creatures in their natural environment”.