Earth Changers’ founder Vicky has worked as part of a specialist team from the University of Surrey on a new report commissioned by World Animal Protection – the first of its kind - ranking Airbnb, Tripadvisor, Expedia and other world leading travel companies for their commitment to animal welfare.

Tracking the travel industry

The report, Tracking the travel industry, exposes the companies that promote animal cruelty through the tours and excursions they sell, and those that are winning for wildlife.

Elephants rides, tiger cubs used as props for selfies, dolphins used as surf boards and other circus-style performances, have all been big business for travel companies, allowing them to rake in profits from unsuspecting tourists, unaware of the cruelty happening behind the scenes. But for the wild animals exploited in these demeaning activities – they live a life sentence of misery and suffering.

Elephant ride in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India by Naman Pandey on unsplash

Tourism has ground to a complete standstill as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. The report encourages the travel industry to seize this opportunity - to come back stronger, more ethical and resilient by protecting wild animals. Global tourist polls have also shown there’s great customer appetite for it.

The report independently analyses the public commitments travel companies have – and haven’t made, and ranks them in order. Companies were scored across four key areas:

1. Commitment: Availability and quality of published animal welfare policies and how applicable they are to all their brands.

2. Targets and performance: Availability and scope of published time bound targets and reports on progress towards meeting animal welfare commitments.

3. Changing industry supply: Availability and quality of engagement with suppliers and the overall industry, to implement wildlife-friendly changes.

4. Changing consumer demand: Availability and quality of educational animal welfare content and tools to empower consumers to make wildlife-friendly travel choices.

Most companies have a long way to go

The companies assessed are Airbnb, Booking.com, The Travel Corporation, TripAdvisor, Viator, TUI.co.uk, DER Touristik, Expedia, Flight Centre, AttractionTickets.com, Trip.com, GetYourGuide, Klook, and Musement.

Nick Stewart, Global Head of Campaign – Wildlife at World Animal Protection, says: "People are beginning to rethink travel and the ‘new normal’ as we live through the pandemic. In the case of wildlife tourism, we know that people still want to see wild animals – but not at the cost of cruelty.

Right now, the travel industry has a unique chance to change the world for good and put an end to cruel wildlife attractions.

For details and the full report, see Tracking the travel industry.