EasyJet scraps animal tours and makes animal welfare key priority
EasyJet has announced it will be making some changes to its holidays and excursions in a bid to make animal welfare a key priority.
The tour operator consulted with a number of animal advocacy organisations before implementing the changes.
Among these organisations, which advised the airline on welfare issues, were World Animal Protection.
As a result of the consultation, EasyJet will be scrapping all tours that feature animal-based attractions.
Among these animal attractions are zoos, animal performances, marine parks, animal rides, and sporting events featuring animals.
This means EasyJet will no longer be promoting attractions including camel rides in Egypt, or sea lion performances in Tenerife among others.
Furthermore, EasyJet has pledged to educate its hotel partners on how important animal welfare is.
The move, which took into account ABTA animal rights guidelines which were developed to reduce the impact of tourism on the natural world, were praised by animal advocates like PETA.
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EasyJet changes
Commenting on the changes, EasyJet holidays’ chief operating officer, Matt Callaghan, said: “As one of the largest tour operators, we’re committed to being an industry leader when it comes to responsible travel.
“Our own research tells us that sustainable travel experiences are important to our customers, so we want to make it easy for them to holiday better.”
Katheryn Wise, wildlife campaigns manager at World Animal Protection UK, added: “easyJet holidays has really stepped up for animals with this strong and ambitious animal welfare policy.
“From the outset easyJet holidays have been clear that they are committed to offering their customers responsible, wildlife-friendly travel options.
“It has been a pleasure to work with a company focused on listening to their customers and choosing not to profit from captive wildlife entertainment.
“It is through working together and commitment like this that we can truly expect to see lasting change for wild animals across the world.”
Easyet has committed to a further list of sustainable initiatives too.
These include making more transfers electric, offering less famous destinations for tourists to discover, and carbon emission cutting policies.
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Featured photo © russell102 via Adobe Stock
