Daniel Turner, Director, ANIMONDIAL

Managing your animal based products and excursions can be tricky when considering the variety of activities available, cultural differences and external pressures from targeted campaigning.

Elephant riding, for instance, has become an unacceptable practice in many source markets in recent years, while elephant bathing remains widely available. It is difficult to know where to draw the line of acceptability and equally to know the degree of risk associated with each activity. 

Whether your business offers excursions that incorporate captive animal facilities, wildlife viewing, or horse riding, understanding the welfare requirements of animals, and potential associated risk to human safety, is integral to delivering viable products and enjoyable holidays. Importantly, failure to appropriately manage your animal based product, and relevant customer exceptions, could have severe consequences for your business. 

Thankfully support is available to guide you through this complex topic.

ABTA has spearheaded actions within the international travel industry by establishing the first measurable standards: the ABTA Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism. These incorporate best practice guidance for the different activities involving animals and uphold the basic welfare needs of the species through established minimum requirements. Based on animal welfare science, these Guidelines are readily available to ABTA members. 

On 28 February 2018, ABTA will hold its first Animal Welfare in Tourism Training. The course will provide practical advice on how to embed animal welfare across your organisation, including across your communications, marketing or product teams.

I have the pleasure of moderating the workshop as Director of ANIMONDIAL, a new 'animals in tourism' specialist. With over a decade working with the travel industry, I am keen to ensure that travel businesses have the means to make informed decisions. Together with ABTA's Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism, travel businesses have everything they need to identify and manage any negative impact of their activities, install safeguards and uphold brand reputation. 

To book your place on ABTA’s Animal Welfare in Tourism Training, please visit abta.com/events

Event Contributor: Daniel Turner, Director, ANIMONDIAL