TripAdvisor Stops Selling Tickets To Many Wildlife Attractions

[LeftyMom]

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/12/497744770/tripadvisor-stops-selling-tickets-to-animal-abusive-attractions

TripAdvisor Stops Selling Tickets To Many Wildlife Attractions
October 12, 20168:31 PM ET

TripAdvisor, a leading travel website, says it will no longer sell tickets to attractions where tourists come into contact with wild animals or endangered species. The policy change includes, but is not limited to, elephant rides, "swim with" activities involving the touching or riding of dolphins, and the petting of captured wild animals such as tigers.

The company also announces that is developing an educational portal, with the aid of several wildlife protection groups, to inform tourists about animal welfare practices.

"TripAdvisor's new booking policy and education effort is designed as a means to do our part in helping improve the health and safety standards of animals, especially in markets with limited regulatory protections," says TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer in a statement.

"We believe the end result of our efforts will be enabling travelers to make more thoughtful choices about whether to visit an animal attraction and to write more meaningful reviews about those attractions," says Kaufer.

The company, which operates the Viatour booking service, will stop selling tickets to some animal attractions immediately. The policy change will be fully implemented when educational portal is launched in early 2017. (more at link)

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/12/497744770/tripadvisor-stops-selling-tickets-to-animal-abusive-attractions