Posts Tagged ‘Tour Operators’
Richard Branson’s statement on Virgin trips to captive whale and dolphin shows – WDC responds
WDC notes with some anticipation a prompt statement of response by Sir Richard Branson to our campaign calling on him to stop Virgin’s promotion of facilities holding captive whales and dolphins. We have been asking Virgin about this issue for some time with no reply. Public pressure resulting from our campaign launch has now brought about a…
Read MoreA further call to action for Sir Richard Branson
WDC notes with interest the comments made by Richard Branson on protecting whales and dolphins, following the launch of our campaign calling on him to end Virgin’s relationship with whale and dolphin captivity. Sir Richard makes some interesting points in his latest post on whales and dolphins, to which we respond below. “I believe no dolphins…
Read MoreCan captive whales or dolphins be returned to the wild?
In 1993, Warner Bros released Free Willy, the tale of a captive orca and his 12-year-old human friend. The popular film ended with Willy’s dramatic return to the ocean, even if he did have to jump a sea wall to get there. Meanwhile, Keiko, the real-life orca who starred in the film, was languishing in Reino Aventura, a run-down facility in Mexico, following…
Read MoreWDC asks Richard Branson to stop sending people to SeaWorld
WDC has launched its campaign to stop Virgin holidays and other major tour operators selling trips to SeaWorld. Sir Richard Branson claims to be concerned with whale conservation yet Virgin holidays are profiting from this cruel industry. We think Sir Richard can do better so we are asking people to join our campaign and tell…
Read MoreTUI Germany to end support for whale and dolphin captivity?
WDC is very pleased at reports that TUI Germany will no longer offer holidaymakers trips to shows featuring captive whales and dolphins. We now await news from other branches of the TUI company, including Thomson and First choice holidays, which make up TUI UK, that they will follow suit. In December, WDC wrote to Thomson…
Read MoreWDC backs Sea Life statement condemning dolphin drive hunts
WDC has given full backing to the recent announcement by Sea Life Marine Conservation Trust (SLMCT) -the newly-established charitable arm of global Sea Life centres -condemning the brutal dolphin drive hunts in Taiji, Japan. The dolphin hunts in Taiji are fuelled by the demand from the global amusement park industry, which selects and pays huge…
Read MoreGlobal Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism
ABTA, the UK Travel Association, has launched a significant report entitled “Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism”. Initially for use for ABTA members, the tour operators Thomas Cook, TUI, Virgin Holidays and Cosmos, the guidance provides the first ever global guidelines on animal welfare for the tourism industry. Animal attractions such as dolphinaria, featuring…
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