ABTA launches second edition of ‘Animal Welfare Guidelines’
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ABTA has launched the second edition of its Animal Welfare Guidelines, featuring new updates including revised basic welfare requirements and unacceptable behaviours.
The revisions have been developed through ABTA’s Animal Welfare Working Group and a multi-stakeholder consultation process involving industry experts, scientists, zoologist organisations, associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from around the world.
In ABTA’s latest Holiday Habits research, two-thirds (66%) of people said that they have concerns about the wider impacts of tourism and how animals are treated.
“A real breakthrough”
Julie Middelkoop, campaign leader for World Animal Protection, said: “We are delighted that ABTA has heard the consortium of animal protection NGOs working together on this issue. This has resulted in updated animal welfare guidelines that reflect the latest evidence with more harmful animal-related tourist activities now labelled unacceptable. Although still voluntary, this and the improved clarity of the guidelines will ensure greater uptake by travel companies.
“The clear advice that it is unacceptable to use elephants for rides, shows, bathing or any other form of tourist contact without a barrier is a real breakthrough. We are equally thrilled to see that other harmful tourist experiences such as selfies with sloths in the Amazon, feeding orangutans or giraffes and walking with lions in southern Africa have the same listing.”
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