Become a wildlife-friendly travel company

550,000 wild animals are suffering at tourist attractions across the world

More than 240 travel companies have joined us and committed to stop selling and promoting venues that offer elephant rides and shows, including Thomas Cook, Contiki, Qyer.com, Intrepid Travel and TUI.

Many of these companies have gone further, committing to stop selling or promoting tickets to any wildlife entertainment activity. This includes dolphin shows and tiger cub selfie opportunities. 

Read the full elephant-friendly travel company list here.

We’re already witnessing the positive effects of travel companies pulling out of elephant interactions, including riding, washing, bathing and feeding.

This movement inspired elephant camps in Thailand and elsewhere to transition their business models to ‘observation only’, where tourists can watch elephants from a safe distance without touching them.

We've been working closely with elephant camp ChangChill (formerly Happy Elephant Valley) to help it become the first truly elephant-friendly venue in Thailand.

Our short documentary features Coalition for Ethical Wildlife Tourism (CEWT) travel company members, who helped make this transition possible.

At these venues, elephants are free to just be elephants.

Travelers are looking for responsible alternatives to animal cruelty

Two elephants at ChangChill (formerly Happy Elephant Care Valley) in Thailand - World Animal Protection - Wildlife. Not entertainers

Pictured above: Two elephants at ChangChill, a venue in Thailand that has transitioned to become elephant-friendly

As a member of the travel industry, you can help change the lives of more than half a million wild animals, who are enduring unimaginable misery to entertain tourists.

Elephant rides, tiger selfies, walks with lions, monkey shows, swimming with dolphins – each ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a tourist means a lifetime of suffering for animals.

The good news is, travel companies of all sizes can meet their customers’ needs as well as help end wild animal entertainment.

Today's travelers are choosing holidays based on how animal-friendly they are:

  • 84% believe wild animals belong in the wild where they can live naturally
  • 82% would prefer to see animals in the wild
  • 76% think people should not make an income from keeping wild animals if the animals suffer

It can be hard to tell what's animal-friendly and what's not in tourism. Let alone how to incorporate this into a business. 

As a responsible leader in the travel industry, you know you must adapt to continue to provide meaningful customer experiences. 

Here’s how we can help your business become wildlife-friendly

Tiger cub in cage at a wildlife tourist attraction - World Animal Protection - Wildlife. Not entertainers
We've helped over 240 travel companies become elephant-friendly

Pictured above: A tiger cub in a cage at a tourist attraction in Thailand

We have the expertise and tools to help you ensure your offers respect animals, as well as the people whose livelihoods may depend on them. At the same time, you can provide a unique wildlife experience for your customers.

Some steps you can take:

  • Take our pledge to phase-out elephant rides and other forms of wildlife entertainment
  • Develop an animal welfare policy and guidelines
  • Train your staff on animal welfare and how to identify cruel attractions
  • Replace wildlife entertainment in your supply chain with ethical alternatives. We can provide tools, including checklists, to help you identify red flags
  • Tell travelers about your company’s commitment to protect wildlife, and encourage them to do the same. For example, you can share our six tips for becoming elephant aware
  • Work together with others in the travel industry to drive industry standards and government legislation to better protect wildlife through tourism. Find out about the Coalition for Ethical Wildlife Tourism (CEWT)
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Elephants with mahouts at an elephant tourist attraction in Thailand - Wildlife. Not entertainers - World Animal Protection
Tiger at wildlife tourist attraction in Thailand - World Animal Protection - Wildlife. Not entertainers
Dolphin performing at tourist attraction - World Animal Protection - Wildlife. Not entertainers

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