In 2022, over 10 million tourists visited Thailand. The number has continued to grow on since then. While moust tourists, irrespective of intent and income come here for beachside relaxation in Phuket and Krabi, many tourists continue to funnel income into one of Thailand’s most problematic industries—animal tourism.
Despite Thailand’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, the country suffers from the issue of Animal tourism industry. Popular attractions like elephant rides, tiger temples, and animal shows often involve practices that are harmful to the animals. While most tourists are unaware about cruelty behind these activities, other turn a blind eye. This issue is not limited to Thailand but it also extends across many other popular tourist destinations, including Bali, Sri Lanka, India, and more.
In Bali, there are many attractions where dolphins, elephants, and monkeys are kept in inadequate conditions for entertainment. Sri Lanka has come under criticism due to promotion of elephant rides and unethical animal shows. India, too, struggles with the exploitation of animals in tourism, particularly in the use of elephants for rides and performances. Safari is one of the biggest revenue makers in India. The rampant corruption and exploitation of buffer zone is a common issue.
Animal Exploitation in Tourism
In a report by World Animal Protection, it was revealed that in Bali alone, 100% of facilities with captive wild elephants, tigers, dolphins, or civet cats, and 80% of those with captive wild primates, did not meet even the basic needs of captive wild animals. The report also states, “At one of the dolphin entertainment venues, dolphins have had their teeth filed down or removed entirely, to ensure that they are unable to inflict serious bites on swimmers.”
Despite these revelations, it is common for tourists to continue patronizing these exploitative attractions. Most visitors turn a blind eye in the face of entertainment. The idea of encounters with exotic animals overshadows the ethical concerns, resulting in an endless cycle of animal exploitation to attract more tourists.
Overtourism has exacerbated this situation. The influx of visitors in many countries in Southeast Asia is leading to the further degradation of wildlife habitats. In 2016, a police raid on Thailand’s Tiger Temple uncovered 40 dead tiger cubs in the temple freezer. Many destinations are unable to handle the number of tourists coming to these places. To accommodate them, more tourist attractions emerge, and among those attractions, there will be more poorly managed sites like the Tiger Temple, leading to such incidents.
Promoting Cruelty-Free Tourism
Tourists can play a significant role in promoting a cruelty-free tourism industry. Certain informed and ethical choices will not only help you avoid visiting captive animal tourism but it will also make your travel experience better. Instead of supporting attractions that exploit animals, you can choose to visit places that promote responsible wildlife sanctuaries. There are many conservation conservation centers in Bali, Thailand, Malaysia that prioritize animal welfare. Here you’ll not just see animals but also get educational experiences.
Additionally, opting for eco-friendly tours and activities that do not involve animal exploitation can help protect wildlife habitats and promote sustainable tourism practices. By choosing cruelty-free options, tourists can enjoy their travels while contributing to the preservation and ethical treatment of animals.
Some tips to avoid cruelty free tourism can be:
Support Ethical Wildlife Sanctuaries and Conservation Centers
Visit accredited sanctuaries and conservation centers that prioritize animal welfare. You can easily find out about their work in rehabilitation and education through reviews. For example, the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Borneo, Malaysia, are two of the places where you can make more conscious decisions as a traveler.
Choose Eco-Friendly Tours and Activities
Most destinations around the globe offer eco-friendly tours that promote sustainable tourism practices. These agencies stay away from animal exploitation through activities like hiking, bird watching, and snorkeling. Destinations like the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador and the Andaman Islands in India have multiple eco-friendly tourism options.
Educate Yourself and Others
It doesn’t take much time to research the ethical considerations related to animal tourism if you are planning to visit an attractions where such activities are included. Destinations like Costa Rica, known for its extensive eco-tourism network, and Kenya, provide numerous resources that makes travel experiences better and fun.
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