special report
THOMAS COOK
Thomas Cook has launched a tough new animal welfare policy following disappointing results from independent audits carried out across a cross-section of attractions sold by the company. Judged against ABTA’s Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism, Thomas Cook wasn’t happy with the ‘lack of engagement from a number of suppliers’. Working with animals in tourism specialists Global Spirit, a full
audit of all Thomas Cook excursions that include animals started at the beginning of the year. Attractions receive no notice of the audit but are expected to comply and to provide access to relevant materials. Failure to do so sees the attraction immediately removed from sale. If the audit shows an attraction isn’t compliant, it has three
months to resolve outstanding issues. Thomas Cook says it will work with the supplier to improve conditions over this period. If it doesn’t improve to the required standard then the attraction is put on ‘stop- sale’ and promotion is ended. However, even if an attraction is taken off sale, the company says
it will continue to provide assistance to suppliers to help them meet the required standards. Decisions to put excursions back on sale aſter the three-month deadline has expired will be taken on a case- by-case basis. Thomas Cook says: “To be truly successful, this needs to become
an industry issue. We’re committed to raising the profile of animal welfare and sharing the audits we do, working directly with ABTA to enforce these guidelines but also directly with our peers. Only by coming together as an industry will we improve standards at all animal attractions.”
SAGA HOLIDAYS
Wildlife viewing features strongly in Saga’s itineraries and excursions form an important part of customers’ holiday experience. ABTA’s guidance manuals are currently helping the company assess its whole range of holiday packages involving contact with animals. For example, the wildlife viewing manual’s best practice
guidelines stress that viewing groups should keep a sufficient distance from wild animals, to avoid disturbing natural behaviour, and that guides should always be alert to signs of distress or aggression and act appropriately, usually by withdrawing. Saga says that with the help of the Born Free Foundation and
the ABTA guidance manuals it has begun reviewing its animal attractions with the aim of bringing holidays in line with animal welfare best practice. They will alter or remove animal attractions where necessary, ensuring this is done sustainably by educating suppliers in some cases. Saga says it aims to introduce elements into its product range which will champion animal welfare. Saga’s Rachel Winterbottom says that, as a new member of the
ABTA animal welfare working group, she has gained an insight into what other operators are doing to respond to the guidelines and has also been made more aware of the public’s growing concern with animal welfare issues. She adds: “This has contributed to the way that Saga has decided to react to the guidelines. The meetings provide an invaluable opportunity to share ideas and work together on specific issues, and as tour operators there is real potential for us to grow this movement and change the industry in a positive way.”
countrybycountry.com | ABTA Magazine
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IMAGE: ELDING, RESPONSIBLE WHALE WATCH PARTNERSHIP; GETTY
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