TripAdvisor will stop selling tickets to SeaWorld and attractions that breed captive whales
TRIPADVISOR has announced an extension to its animal welfare policy that means it will stop selling tickets to attractions including SeaWorld.
The move is an update on the travel company's existing policies and includes its booking website Viator.
In a statement, TripAdvisor said it will "no longer sell tickets to, or generate revenue from, any attraction that continues to contribute to the captivity of future generations of cetaceans".
The move follows extensive consultation with experts ranging from marine biologists, zoologists to conservationists and is an extension to the animal welfare policy it launched in 2016.
Any companies that imports or breeds the mammals for "public display" will be banned from the site.
TripAdvisor will be removing any products that breach its new policy in the coming months, with the policy fully implemented by the end of this year.
There are some exceptions to the policy.
TripAdvisor said: "While it is possible to prevent future generations of cetaceans from a life of captivity, for those already in captivity, the situation is different.
"For most of the current population of cetaceans, release into the wild is not a realistic option. Therefore, the policy includes several stipulations aimed at protecting the needs, safety and health of cetaceans currently in captivity, too."
It means that the policy does not apply to "sanctuary" facilities that "provides all of its captive cetaceans with a permanent seaside living environment" - including attractions that are moving towards this status but aren't there yet.
The policy also excludes to World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) accredited attractions that fully complies with specific rules that TripAdvisor has set out.
However, Sun Online Travel understands that while SeaWorld is WAZA accredited, it does not fully meet TripAdvisor's updated policies.
Although SeaWorld has announced an end to its orca-breed program, it hasn't made the same commitments to other cetaceans.
Dr. Chris Dold, SeaWorld’s Chief Zoological Officer said: "We are disappointed by TripAdvisor’s new position that ignores the educational value and conservation mission of professionally accredited zoos and aquariums. "SeaWorld believes deeply in the mission of these organizations. As a member of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), certified by American Humane, and accredited by Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), as well as numerous other certifications and accreditations from leading accrediting bodies, SeaWorld maintains the highest standards of care for all animals, including cetaceans.
"And regardless of TripAdvisor’s position, SeaWorld will continue to advance education and animal conservation efforts along with our millions of supporters, professional scientists and other science based organizations around the world.”
What kinds of attractions are exempt from TripAdvisor's new policy?
TripAdvisor said that businesses and non-profits will still be sold on the site if:
- It's a sanctuary facility that provides all of its captive cetaceans with a permanent seaside living environment
- It's a commercial or not-for-profit facility that is in the process of developing, alternative seaside sanctuary environments for captive cetaceans and that has made a public commitment to rehouse all captive cetaceans in its care to these environments in an expedient manner.
- It's a WAZA accredited facility that has made an official and public commitment to implement all of the following practices:
- Cease and prevent the breeding of cetaceans in its care
- Cease the importation of captive cetaceans from other facilities for public display
- Cease the capture and importation of wild cetaceans for public display
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TripAdvisor became the first major travel company to stop selling tickets to animal attractions and experiences where tourists come into contact with captive wildlife.
Last year, it expanded this to include demeaning animal shows and performances.
In August this year, British Airways announced that it would stop selling tickets to SeaWorld.
And before that, Virgin Holidays made the same move.