Dertour is withdrawing all activities that included captive animals from its portfolio. As of November, excursions that include dolphins and other marine mammals in captivity or outside their natural environment will no longer be available for booking.
With this stance, Dertour seeks to send a strong message: modern tourism can and should evolve with respect for the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it.
These include activities such as swimming with dolphins, shows that require animals to perform unnatural behaviors, and demonstrations where marine mammals are forced out of the water, such as the so-called “beaching”. All these forms of recreation will no longer be part of the tour operator’s program.
We want to ensure that our offering meets the highest standards of animal protection, and this means we no longer support attractions that conflict with their needs, says Laura Steden, the group’s Corporate Responsibility Director. “We aim to offer unforgettable holidays, while prioritising their well-being,” she adds.
The decision is part of Dertour Group’s animal welfare strategy, which was developed in collaboration with animal rights activists and is based on the global standards of ABTA, the Association of British Tour Operators.
From November, the company will focus on activities that promote respect for animals in their natural environment. At the same time, through the Dertour Foundation, it continues to support conservation projects in the marine tourism sector, such as coral reef restoration in the Maldives and sea turtle protection in Turkey.
