Expedia Will No Longer Sell Holiday That Includes Dolphin And Whale Shows

Fantastic news for animals! 

Travel company Expedia has changed its animal welfare policy and banned the sales of experiences and performances that involve captive cetaceans, including dolphins and whales. 

"Attractions and activities that involve performances by or interactions with dolphins and other cetaceans will no longer be available on our sites", the company says. 

Around 3,000 dolphins are still kept in captivity in tourist destinations around the world. Every year they attract millions of families with kids to travel abroad. Advertised as family entertainment, it is indeed extreme animal cruelty. The wild animals suffer poor physical and mental health in captivity. Dolphins that are kept to swim with tourists are confined to artificial tanks, or makeshift lagoons are forced to swim in endless circles.

Animal rights charity PETA applauded the decision. The group said they were urging Expedia's president with calls and messages for years.

PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman said: "PETA congratulates Expedia for officially rejecting cruel 'swim with dolphins' encounters and SeaWorld prisons." 

"PETA urges people to take note and do their part by refusing to support such animal-exploiting operations."

World Animal Protection campaign manager for wildlife Katheryn Wise added: "This is amazing news and something that we have been campaigning for since 2019. More than 350,000 supporters joined us in signing petitions, raising awareness online and hitting the streets to ask Expedia to make this change.

"We are so pleased that they have listened."

She added: "Through sales and promotion, travel companies play a huge role in driving captive dolphin entertainment and, as one of the largest travel companies in the world, we are delighted that Expedia is making a stand.

"Travel companies play a huge role in driving captive dolphin entertainment, and as one of the largest travel companies in the world we are delighted that Expedia Group are making a stand.

"It's time for other travel giants like TUI to do the right thing and follow suit."

Following the change of the animal welfare policy, Expedia prohibits intentional physical contact with other wild animals and "demeaning" and "unnatural" animal performances such as circus or magic shows. This policy includes bears, elephants, cats, primates and reptiles. 

Expedia does not support attractions that breed animals for commercial purposes and venues that sell products derived from wild animals like crocodiles, snakes and turtles. 

The company does not allow any activity based on injuring or killing animals such as trophy hunting, animal wrestling, spearfishing, dog fighting, cockfighting, feeding and provoking animals. 

Limited interactions with domesticated animals – such as dogs, cats, horses and cows are still allowed on the website.