Leading UK charities launch new website to help tourists avoid animal cruelty abroad
Leading animal welfare charities, MPs, and species experts gathered for the launch of www.RIGHT-tourism.org - a new website to help tourists avoid supporting animal suffering whilst travelling. The essential animal-friendly travel site has been developed by wildlife charity Care for the Wild International, in association with the Humane Society International, the League Against Cruel Sports and the Brooke.
RIGHT-tourism.org allows tourists to search any country of the world for factual information about the issues relating to animals in tourism that all of us may face when travelling overseas.
Philip Mansbridge, Care for the Wild International's CEO explains the ethos of the website: "RIGHT-tourism.org is all about helping travellers to make educated choices by giving them the facts - many of which are hidden behind the facade of animal attractions, festivals, or sports attractions. Sadly many tourists unwittingly encourage the mistreatment of animals when on holiday because they don’t know what to look out for. The great thing about the website is that it's not about saying don't do this and don't do that, it's just about helping you to make choices you are comfortable with. RIGHT-tourism stands for Responsible, Informed, Guilt-free and Humane Travel - and the website is the tool to help everyone achieve that."
The League’s Chief Executive Joe Duckworth added: “The RIGHT-tourism project is a fantastic and worthwhile initiative and one we are delighted to be involved with. The League fully supports the promotion of ethical travel and believes this is the perfect platform to educate tourists about some of the horrific cruelty which takes place in the name of tradition such as the Pamplona Bull Run, the Calgary Stampede and the El Tora de la Vega to name but a few.”
The charities' collective vision for the site is to make RIGHT-tourism.org a natural part of everyone's pre travel checklist.
"The site has the potential to grow and grow, and all of us are very excited about the real difference that each and every one of us as tourists can make simply by knowing the facts," adds Philip.
The website is now live and can be found at www.RIGHT-tourism.org.
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Editors Notes
- The launch event is being held at Lords Cricket Ground, 5.30pm – 7.30pm on Tuesday 29th May.
- Attendees included CEOs and Trustees from each of the four main charities, along with other senior figures from within the animal welfare and travel sector, including Ian Redmond OBE, one of the UK’s most renowned tropical field biologist and conservationists.
- Care for the Wild International is a charity dedicated to the conservation and welfare of wildlife around the world. Working with our partners, we aim to protect wildlife and its habitat, rescue and rehabilitate displaced wild animals, and act as a global voice for wildlife protection through campaigns, research and education. Registered Charity No. 288802.
- Charity Partner Information:
a) The League Against Cruel Sports is a registered charity that brings together people who care about animals.
Like the majority of the public, we believe that cruelty to animals in the name of sport has no place in modern society. Registered charity number 1095234.
b) The Brooke is an international animal welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in some of the world’s poorest communities, providing veterinary treatment and programmes across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Last year, it reached 1.1 million working horses, donkeys and mules, benefiting more than six
million people. The Brooke’s goal is to increase the number of working animals it helps to two million a year by 2016. The Brooke launched its Responsible Tourism for Animals campaign in 2009 to help ease the suffering of horses, donkeys and mules working in the tourist industry. These animals are part of everyday life in popular destinations around the world as they taxi tourists, often under the blazing sun, with little shade, water or rest. Overwork and bad practice can lead to suffering but every person has the power to prevent this. For more information visit
www.thebrooke.org/travel
c)
Humane Society International is the international arm of The Humane Society of the United States, one of the world's largest animal protection organisations — backed by 11 million people. HSI is creating a better future for animals and people through advocacy, education, and hands-on programmes. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide. Registered charity number 1098925.
For further information or for comment please contact Rebecca Taylor, Campaigns and Communications Manager on Rebecca@careforthewild.com