Expedia to halt promotion of some animal attractions

Sunday, 21 Jul, 2017 0

Expedia, Inc has announced changes to the marketing of wildlife activities on its websites, and will remove those deemed to be harmful to animal welfare.

Expedia is conducting a full review lasting several months in cooperation with wildlife and animal protection groups including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, Born Free Foundation and the Humane Society of the United States.

As part of this initiative, Expedia is launching a new Wildlife Tourism Education Portal to improve awareness and educate travelers about animal welfare.

"As travelers, it is important that we know more about the places we go, the activities we engage in, and the ways in which we leave lasting impacts on our destinations. As we help people go places, we want to help them do it thoughtfully, and responsibly," said Jen O’Twomney, vice president of Expedia Local Expert.

The new portal, which will roll out later this year, will present clear information if an activity includes animal interactions and to what degree.

It will also list more general educational information around animal welfare and resources for travelers to get involved in conservation efforts.

"With its significant global reach and influence, the travel and tourism industry can make an enormous impact in helping to end the scourge of wildlife trafficking. We applaud Expedia for joining a global collaboration to educate travelers through its new educational portal," said Sara Walker, executive director, U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance.

PETA has responded, welcoming Expedia’s initiative but urging more of the travel industry to stop promoting ‘cruel’ elephant rides.

It called out companies including ATJ, Classic Journeys, Grand Circle Travel, SITA World Tours, and Travel Holdings, Inc which still offer rides as part of tours, encouraging people to exert some pressure by signing its online petition.

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

Central Florida’s Polk County is conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa, and an easy drive to Central Florida attractions and...

Destination British Columbia (Destination BC) is a Provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s...

We are the UK’s leading Canada travel experts Canadian Affair Company Information Founded in 1995, Canadian Affair offers an...

The Polish Tourism Organisation (Polska Organizacja Turystyczna – POT) is one of several dozen national tourism organisations operating in the...

Travel specialists founded the company in 1999 as AC Tours. Since then we have grown and expanded to incorporate four...

Queensland – where it’s rude not to stare Here in Queensland, there’s plenty to do. But there’s even more to...

Travel Outlook, the premier hotel call center™ Travel Outlook is an innovative, custom off-site central reservations office (CRO) service that...

City Cruises is a leading operator of sightseeing, dining and charter services operating in London, York and Poole. We offer...

This is Jersey. An island shaped by the sea where some of the most astonishing tides in the world circle...

Hilton is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in...

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels...