Can elephants feel emotions and empathy?
Blog
Discover the surprising emotional lives of elephants and how understanding their feelings is crucial.
GetYourGuide is a Berlin-based online travel agency and online marketplace for tour guides and excursions. They describe themselves as 'a revolutionary approach to tourism,' yet there is nothing revolutionairy about selling exploitative wildlife attractions.
World Animal Protection has reached out to help GetYourGuide develop an Animal Welfare Policy and and discontinue ticket sales for such attractions.
You have the power to show GetYourGuide that we won’t stand for animal suffering in the tourism industry. It's time to make a difference.
Time for change is now.
@worldanimalprotection GRWM as I head to protest outside the GetYourGuide office building 📢 GetYourGuide are actively exploiting wild animals by promoting harmful attractions worldwide. Captive wild animals suffer immensely from being harshly trained, forced to work with the public, and are deprived of their natural behaviours, all of which can hurt them both mentally and physically. So many other travel companies can still offer experiences and prioritise animal welfare, so why can't GetYourGuide? Stay tuned to find out how it went 👀 #grwm #grwmroutine #protest #travel #GetYourGuide @worldanimalprotectionus @getyourguide ♬ original sound - World Animal Protection 🌎
In 2023 we launched the Real Responsible Traveller Report which reviewed global leaders in the tourism industry on their animal policies and wildlife offers.
GetYourGuide was one of the key brands profiting from selling and promoting harmful and exploitative circus-style performances and interactions.
In the report, we chose to focus on four species categories - dolphins, elephants, primates, and big cats, as well as a general section encompassing all other wild animal species. These animals were chosen due to their complex ecological, social and behavioural needs, their high levels of sentience and their common use in tourism entertainment.
Unfortunately, many travelers who seek out experiences, enticed by GetYourGuide discount codes and promo codes, are unaware of that this company is fueling animal cruelty by profiting from attractions that keep animals captive and the distressing interactions they are often forced to endure.
Captive wild animals are not able to fully engage in natural behaviours, impacting both their physical and psychological welfare. Wild animals are sentient beings that experience positive feelings and emotions such as contentment and joy, as well as negative ones such as pain, fear, boredom and frustration.
By choosing companies that choose not to exploit animals, you can enjoy your travels with a clear conscience, knowing you are not contributing to their suffering. They say #MakeMemories; we say #MakeMemoriesNotMisery
Blog
Discover the surprising emotional lives of elephants and how understanding their feelings is crucial.
Press release
World Animal Protection, PETA, and WTG unite at GetYourGuide Berlin HQ to demand cessation of promoting and selling...
Press release
Major travel companies selling tickets to venues that have sourced dolphins from the notorious Taiji hunt in Japan...
Yes, GetYourGuide is a legitimate and widely used platform founded in Berlin, providing travel activities worldwide. Despite its legitimacy, it's important to note that they promote harmful and exploitative wildlife interactions, which many travelers may find troubling.
Travelers considering using GetYourGuide should be aware that some of the irresponsible wildlife experiences that GetYourGuide sell on the platform. These can be exploitative and harmful to animals, so it's crucial to choose your travel marketplace responsibly.
GetYourGuide is not a safe choice when ethical considerations come into play, as some of the wildlife activities promoted on the site involve cruelty and exploitation. Travelers are encouraged to boycott companies that profit from animal cruelty.
GetYourGuide's their involvement in selling and promoting harmful wildlife interactions, such as circus-style performances and elephant rides, may be concerning for those who prioritise ethical travel practices.
GetYourGuide is failing dolphins. The main concern for marine mammals, like dolphins, is the artificial and baron nature of their captive environment. No facility can replicate the vast reaches of the ocean that these animals traverse.
How GetYourGuide is failing elephants. Venues offering any type of visitor interaction with elephants are likely to be associated with cruel practices and unnecessary suffering. Activities such as petting or riding elephants require the trainer to establish dominance, and this often requires painful or traumatic training techniques.
How GetYourGuide is failing primates. Primates are incredibly intelligent animals and are hard to keep stimulated in a human environment. They are likely to become bored and frustrated, which leads to psychological problems and abnormal behaviour like self-mutilation. In addition to poor mental welfare, these attractions put primates at physical risk. Non-human primates are susceptible to human diseases and contact with tourists puts them at risk.
How GetYourGuide is failing big cats. Exploiting big cats for tourism leads to severe restrictions on their welfare. These animals typically needs large areas of land to roam and have complex behavioural needs that are difficult to address in captivity.
Depriving them of the large home ranges and social structure they need often makes them behave abnormally. Interactions with tourists can further increase stress, which can lead to more behavioural abnormalities and reoccurring health issues.
Wildlife
Would a real responsible traveller have captive wildlife entertainment on their wish list?
View our interactive map of global support for Thailand's efforts to end the captive breeding of elephants.