World Animal Protection (WAP) has released a new report which scores travel companies on their animal experiences offered—with some trade highs, and lows.
The animal welfare organisation has compared the wildlife policies and offerings of the biggest on-line travel companies in New Zealand, with it praising Intrepid, Booking. com and The Travel Corporation.
All three of these companies scored perfect marks in the report for their public animal welfare policies, and commitment to avoiding harmful wildlife experiences, it adds.
. . . Intrepid
In response to the report, Intrepid says it has long been committed to developing wildlife tourism that aids wildlife conservation and ecological preservation.
“We were the first global tour operator to remove elephant rides from our trips, and we believe that wild animals should be left doing what they do best: living in the wild,” says Intrepid Travel gm of purpose Sara King. “Animals are an essential part of our ecosystem, and we are responsible for protecting habitats and ensuring their longevity. Doing this will ultimately result in better wildlife tourism experiences for all, people, animals, and the planet.” Webjet, on the other hand, was at the bottom of the list, as WAP claims the platform sells tickets to ‘some of the worst venues in the world’, due to its recent partnership with Klook.
. . . Mixed Messages?
WAP claims venues sold by Webjet allow tourists to take part in animal experiences such as watching dolphin shows, selfies with tigers, and circus-style monkey performances, as well as captive elephant entertainment venues.
The latter, says WAP, comes despite the fact that in one of its web blogs, Webjet states that elephant riding is ’cruel at worst and ethically dubious at best’. WAP’s head of campaigns in New Zealand Suzanne Milthorpe says ‘it’s appalling that in 2025, travel companies that New Zealanders trust continue to profit from the suffering of dolphins, tigers, elephants and more’. “People love to see animals on their holiday, but wild animals don’t need to suffer in cruel venues for our entertainment.”
WAP says Webjet has refused to meaningfully engage with the animal welfare organisation on this issue. Travel Today has approached Webjet for comment.
Meanwhile WAP has upped the lobby ante, staging a protest at Webjet’s office and creating a tool that allows people to write to Webjet with their concerns. See it HERE.
