Easyjet drops zoo trips over animal welfare

EASYJET has said it will no longer offer trips to zoos and marine parks as part of its holiday packages because of animal welfare concerns.

The tour operator said the policy is aimed at promoting responsible travel.

Easyjet holidays will no longer offer or promote any “harmful” animal-based attractions within their tours and activities programme, including sites where creatures are held in captivity such as zoos and marine parks, along with animal performances, animal rides and sporting events involving animals.

The company said it was committed to only offering experiences that do not threaten the welfare or conservation of animals. It said it will work closely with hotelier partners on the importance of animal welfare.

Matt Callaghan, the firm’s chief operating officer, 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.

“We’re passionate about the protection and respect of all forms of nature in the destinations we offer holidays to, which is why we’ve made the decision to not offer or promote attractions that exploit animals within our tours and activities programme.”

The policy incorporates animal welfare guidelines from ABTA, the trade association for UK travel agents and operators, and was created in consultation with animal rights organisations including World Animal Protection.

Katheryn Wise, the wildlife campaigns manager at World Animal Protection UK, said: “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 and 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.”

Thomas Cook stopped selling tickets to animal attractions that included killer whales in 2019, which led to Seaworld in Florida and Loro Parque in Tenerife being removed from the holiday company’s website and brochures.

Seaworld had previously announced in 2016 that it would stop breeding orcas.