The use of animals for entertainment in tourism can involve practices that compromise animal welfare and promote exploitation. By prohibiting such activities, establishments ensure ethical treatment of animals, align with global welfare standards and foster respect for nature among guests.
The establishment does not offer, promote, or facilitate entertainment, excursions, or activities that involve involving the exploitation or suffering of animals. This applies both to on-site activities and to suppliers or external activities recommended, sold/contracted, or arranged through the establishment.
The use of wild animals for entertainment, handling, or close interaction is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:
- animal shows or performances;
- staged photo opportunities;
- direct contact with or feeding of captive wild animals;
- animal fights, races, or rides that compromise welfare (e.g. elephant rides, reindeer races, rodeos); and
- off-site events or attractions known to harm animals (e.g. bullfighting, circuses with wild animals, hunting safaris).
The establishment assesses external suppliers and activities it promotes or contracts with third parties to ensure they do not involve these practices.
Domestic animals may participate in welfare-based, educational, or culturally rooted activities (e.g. interactive farms, husky safaris, horseback riding), whether offered on-site or promoted/facilitated off-site. On-site animals are always housed under conditions that comply with animal welfare regulations and standards, including those outlined in criterion 1.14.
During the audit, in specific circumstances (where animal-related activities are offered, promoted or facilitated), the establishment presents:
- a written statement, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or policy confirming that no entertainment, excursions, or activities that involve the exploitation of animals are offered, promoted or facilitated; and/or
- if available, the in-house entertainment plan for the guests.
Where appropriate, a visual inspection confirms the presence of animals on-site, evaluated against the educational standards described above.
The use of animals for entertainment in tourism can involve practices that compromise animal welfare and promote exploitation. By prohibiting such activities, establishments ensure ethical treatment of animals, align with global welfare standards and foster respect for nature among guests.
The establishment does not offer, promote, or facilitate entertainment, excursions, or activities that involve involving the exploitation or suffering of animals. This applies both to on-site activities and to suppliers or external activities recommended, sold/contracted, or arranged through the establishment.
The use of wild animals for entertainment, handling, or close interaction is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:
- animal shows or performances;
- staged photo opportunities;
- direct contact with or feeding of captive wild animals;
- animal fights, races, or rides that compromise welfare (e.g. elephant rides, reindeer races, rodeos); and
- off-site events or attractions known to harm animals (e.g. bullfighting, circuses with wild animals, hunting safaris).
The establishment assesses external suppliers and activities it promotes or contracts with third parties to ensure they do not involve these practices.
Domestic animals may participate in welfare-based, educational, or culturally rooted activities (e.g. interactive farms, husky safaris, horseback riding), whether offered on-site or promoted/facilitated off-site. On-site animals are always housed under conditions that comply with animal welfare regulations and standards, including those outlined in criterion 1.14.
During the audit, in specific circumstances (where animal-related activities are offered, promoted or facilitated), the establishment presents:
- a written statement, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or policy confirming that no entertainment, excursions, or activities that involve the exploitation of animals are offered, promoted or facilitated; and/or
- if available, the in-house entertainment plan for the guests.
Where appropriate, a visual inspection confirms the presence of animals on-site, evaluated against the educational standards described above.