ALL ABOUT YOU — BUSINESS ADVICE


MOVERS & SHAKERS


Holiday Extras has appointed David Hinder-Edwards as partnership development manager for the


Midlands. Hinder-Edwards joins from SuperBreak where he was a sales executive. He has also worked for The Midcounties Co-operative and Thomas Cook.


Fiona Foster has joined Innstant Travel as head of operations. Foster’s 33 years’ industry


experience includes stints as contact centre sales manager for Thomas Cook and operations director for Budget Travel shops.


Singapore Airlines has appointed Mark Davey as sales manager for the UK and Ireland, based in


London. Davey brings a wealth of experience, including four years as revenue manager at American Airlines’ headquarters.


Wizz Air has appointed Péter Kormány as sales manager, responsible for charters and travel trade relations. He has previously worked for tour operators in Hungary.


Jumeirah Group has appointed Jihane Mamouri as global sales director for France and Benelux.


For many clients, seeing exotic and unfamiliar animals in new environments is a highlight of their trip. However, holidaymakers are often unaware of the dark reality behind some


animal experiences. Attractions such as circuses, bullfights, marine parks and some zoos jeopardise animal welfare and impact the customer experience. Agents, by choosing the right operators and sharing advice with customers, can do their bit to ensure the UK travel industry does not support animal cruelty. Here, Michael Edwards, regional director of Intrepid Travel, offers some tips.


Work with responsible suppliers


Don’t be afraid to ask operators about their policies when it comes to viewing or interacting with wildlife. For example, Intrepid Travel follows the guidelines of the World Society for the Protection of Animals to avoid tourism attractions that use and exploit wild animals.


Ideally, view wildlife where it belongs – in the wild


Many zoos keep animals in poor conditions, with their basic needs denied. If you are asked to recommend a zoo, suggest only those that adhere to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare. You can check on its website. Speak to a responsible operator that can


recommend ethical sanctuaries and safari parks. Work with trusted suppliers to choose ethical and humane horse, donkey or camel rides, where the animal’s welfare is protected. As a minimum, check that animals have access to shade, water and rest.


MAKE ANIMAL


WELFARE YOUR KEY PRIORITY


Animal-loving travellers should


avoid riding wild animals such as elephants for entertainment as often these animals are captured from the wild, inadequately


cared for and trained using cruel methods.


At Intrepid, we stopped offering elephant rides on all our trips earlier this year. Captivity cannot meet the welfare needs of large marine mammals such as dolphins and whales. Avoid attractions featuring captive marine mammals and


activities like swimming with dolphins – they may appear fun and educational but they are unnatural and


stressful for the animals. Clients concerned about animal


welfare should be advised not to try the local cuisine if it includes wild animals. They should also avoid food produced through cruel practices, such as foie gras, or inhumane killing, such as bushmeat. Watch out for souvenirs made from animals, such as fur, ivory, rhino horn and turtle shell.


Advice from MichaelEdwards regional director, Intrepid Group


Don’t accept culture as an excuse for cruelty


Compassionate travellers should


avoid cockfights, bullfights and any festivals involving animals. Culture is no excuse for causing pain and suffering. Clients should be advised not to pay to have their


picture taken posing with a wild animal. Many of these animals have been taken from the wild and their mothers killed. Instead, agents can recommend tours where clients can help care for animals. For example, at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, visitors can help feed and bathe the animals. ❯ Intrepid Travel offers more than 100 animal-friendly wildlife trips worldwide. Visit intrepidtravel.com/wildlife or call 0808 274 5111


14 August 2014 — travelweekly.co.uk • 33


MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!


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