British Airways Holidays Stops Selling Tickets for Attractions Presenting Captive Wild Animals

The travel booking platform British Airways Holidays has stopped selling tickets for visitor attractions keeping and presenting “wild animals” as part of their guest entertainment offer. This decision was announced by the company last week, following the implementation of a new animal welfare policy created in cooperation with the Born Free Foundation, an international animal welfare charity. In addition, all partner hotels of British Airways Holidays which keep wild animals such as big cats on their premises will be clearly labelled on the company’s website.

Claire Bentley, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays, explains, “Our customers tell us they have concerns about wild animals being kept in captivity, and increasingly see animal performances in particular as outdated. We are delighted to have worked with Born Free to develop our new strategy which allows our customers to make more informed choices and we are contacting all our hotel and attraction partners about our new approach.”

The decision of British Airways Holidays was communicated shortly after the announcement of UK-based tour operator Virgin Holidays to stop selling tickets to visitor attractions keeping cetaceans for show performances and animal encounters. In response to these latest decisions and on behalf of its members, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) recently issued two official statements, drawing attention to education and conservation issues and internationally recognized standards for professional animal husbandry at visitor attractions. Here & here you are redirected to the statements on the association’s website. (eap)