<\/p>\n
Sunweb Group has announced it will no longer sell excursions that feature wild animals used primarily for entertainment, following a review of its activities portfolio and the introduction of stricter animal welfare guidelines.<\/p>\n
From 1 March, the travel organisation will stop offering parks and excursions involving animal shows or direct interaction with wild animals.<\/p>\n
This includes dolphinarium visits, sea lion shows, and aquariums offering caged shark diving. The decision applies across Sunweb Group brands, including Sunweb and Eliza was here.<\/p>\n
The updated policy has been developed in collaboration with World Animal Protection Netherlands and forms part of Sunweb Group\u2019s wider commitment to responsible tourism.<\/p>\n
The company says activities that rely on training wild animals for human entertainment often involve fear, stress and other forms of suffering, and do not align with its values.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnimal suffering does not align with our vision of responsible tourism.\u201d Sunweb Group said in a statement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Monique van Agthoven, Head of Sustainability at Sunweb Group, said the company has a responsibility not only to review what it sells, but also to help customers make more informed choices.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot every tourist is aware of the suffering behind animal entertainment,\u201d she said. \u201cAs a travel organisation, we stand for responsible excursion offerings and have a duty to inform our customers as well as we can about animal welfare. Wild animals should be able to live as much as possible in their natural habitats.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Animal suffering and unnatural direct interaction with captive animals, such as wild animal shows and swimming with dolphins, do not align with our vision of responsible tourism.”<\/p>\n
Dolphins are highly intelligent, social animals<\/a>, who struggle with the limitations of a captive life. It has been highly documented how much they suffer in captivity<\/a>, and how tourist activities have a negative impact<\/a> on their wellbeing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n While removing entertainment\u2011based animal attractions, Sunweb Group said it will continue to offer wildlife\u2011related excursions where animal welfare is prioritised and animals are observed in their natural environment<\/a>.<\/p>\n This includes responsible whale watching<\/a> trips, provided they maintain sufficient distance and avoid disturbing natural behaviour.<\/p>\n The company is also investing in training for tour guides, local agencies and employees, with clear animal welfare guidelines and a stronger focus on educational experiences.<\/p>\n Hundreds of thousands of wild animals worldwide are affected by tourism entertainment<\/a> attractions. We have been campaigning for travel companies<\/a> to play a more active role in reducing demand for such activities.<\/p>\n Many animals are taken from the wild or bred in captivity<\/a>, without ever having the chance to live in their natural habitat or express natural behaviours.<\/p>\n Travel companies that are\u00a0still promoting harmful animal activities<\/a>, such as TUI<\/a> and GetYourGuide<\/a>, keep this cycle of suffering going.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Sunweb Group joins an ever increasing number of travel platforms that have already stopped promoting attractions involving captive wild animals.<\/p>\n Companies including Airbnb<\/a>, Expedia Group<\/a>, DERTOUR<\/a> and Tripadvisor<\/a> have previously announced similar policies. In the Netherlands, industry body ANVR has also rejected attractions featuring captive cetacean shows.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Shift towards education and responsible experiences<\/h2>\n
Industry repsonsibility and wider momentum<\/h2>\n
\n