RSPCA calls for Luton-based airline company to stop promoting tourism linked to animal cruelty
It relates to activities such as swimming with dolphins or posing with tigers
The RSPCA is urging both holidaymakers and travel companies to reconsider their role in promoting and profiting from animal cruelty abroad, warning that activities such as swimming with dolphins and posing with tigers are not only unethical but also illegal to advertise under current UK law.
Despite the Animals Abroad Act, which was passed two years ago in England, travel companies including Luton-based TUI continue to promote animal-based tourist attractions that would be considered illegal if they took place in the UK.
The law prohibits travel firms from advertising overseas experiences that involve animal cruelty banned domestically, such as circuses with wild animals or dolphinariums. However, a lack of official guidance has left the legislation unenforceable.
David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, explained:
“The government changed the law two years ago in England, which meant that it was illegal for travel agents and other advertisers to advertise activities that have animal welfare cruelty that would be illegal in the UK. So, for instance, swimming with dolphins, taking a picture with tigers, going to a circus with wild animals and dolphinaria, which have been illegal for over 30 years.”
However, he said implementation has stalled:
“Even though that law is in place, the government have yet to write the guidance and that means that it can't be enforced until the guidance is written.”
According to Mr Bowles, the result is that companies continue to flout the law without consequence:
“You're getting travel agents getting away with breaking the law because there is no guidance.”
The RSPCA has singled out TUI, the UK-based travel giant headquartered in Luton, for continuing to advertise trips to venues such as SeaWorld, despite widespread calls from animal welfare organisations to stop.
“We have been calling on TUI to stop offering and promoting tickets to venues which keep whales and dolphins captive, but we are deeply disappointed that they are yet to make any real, impactful change for animal welfare,” said Mr Bowles.
He added that enforcement should ideally not be needed if companies took the initiative:
“The easiest thing is for international global companies like TUI to read the law and realise that they shouldn't be advertising going to SeaWorld or going to swim with dolphins in the Caribbean because that's illegal under that legislation.”
Despite the law’s clarity, Mr Bowles noted that enforcement is left to local authorities who currently lack the tools to act:
“It would be up to Luton Council, probably, to enforce that piece of the legislation. But the RSPCA understands that their hands are tied at the moment because the guidance hasn't been written.”
The organisation has also launched a Summer Cruelty Campaign, warning that animal cruelty reports spike during the summer months. Between June and August last year, the RSPCA received over 34,000 cruelty reports—up by a third compared to the previous year.
“There are three layers here. There's the companies that are advertising, which is against the legislation. There is the government that need to write the guidance. But… it's incumbent for any individual, even if they go on holiday and see these attractions, not to visit them,” added Mr Bowles.
“Many people, when they go on holiday almost leave their morals and their ethics at home and do things such as not just going to see a dolphinaria or going on elephant rides, but also thinking about, for instance, adopting a dog from abroad.”
Among the RSPCA’s top warnings for tourists are:
- Avoiding selfies with monkeys, who may have been illegally taken from the wild
- Saying no to elephant rides, often involving harsh training methods and cruelty
- Steering clear of souvenirs made from wildlife
- Refusing to attend bullfighting or running-of-the-bulls events
- Avoiding marine parks where dolphins and whales are kept in captivity
The organisation warns that when tourists participate in these experiences, they are indirectly fuelling the continuation of cruel practices.
The RSPCA continues to call on the UK government to complete and publish enforcement guidance for the Animals Abroad Act, and for travel firms to act before being forced to.
“No animal deserves cruelty, wherever they are in the world – and all our fellow living creatures deserve our respect,” said Mr Bowles.
Greatest Hits Radio has reached out to TUI for a comment.