UK Edition
Exclusive: Virgin to stop selling tickets to SeaWorld
Virgin Holidays is to stop selling tickets to SeaWorld as part of a decision to cease its relationship with attractions that keep whales and dolphins in captivity.
The tour operator, part of the Virgin Group headed by Sir Richard Branson, said the move will result in more than 20,000 tickets being removed from sale, but that all existing bookings will be honoured.
Virgin has spent the last 12 months quietly removing 19 attractions with captive whales and dolphins from its brochure and website, with just five remaining: SeaWorld in San Diego and Orlando, Discovery Cove also in Orlando, and Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas and Dolphin Bay at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. These will be taken down this week.
Virgin’s decision follows that of Thomas Cook, which last summer stopped selling tickets to animals attractions that include killer whales.
Joe Thompson, managing director of Virgin Holidays, told Telegraph Travel the move was an important part of the tour operator’s responsibility to the holidays of future generations.
“We’re a holiday company and we believe in travel as a force for good in the world,” he said. “We have done our consumer research and we believe this is what our customers want us to do.”
He said Virgin’s research showed that 92 per cent of British holidaymakers prefer to see animals in the wild and that the operator would now focus on ways to make that possible. “We believe it is the right thing to do,” he added.
Virgin announced in 2014 a commitment to the protection and conservation of the world’s oceans, before announcing in 2017 it would not add any new attractions that featured captive whales or dolphins. Last year Virgin invested $300,000 [£239,400] in North America’s first captive dolphin sanctuary in Baltimore.
Virgin was told SeaWorld, with which it has had a long relationship, of its decision on Monday evening.
A spokeperson for SeaWorld said: "It is disappointing to see Virgin Holidays succumb to pressure from animal activists who mislead and manipulate marine mammal science to advance their agendas.
"Virgin’s own corporate mission is having a measurable purpose that positively impacts communities and the environment. SeaWorld is the epitome of that mission. With more than 35,000 animal rescues and decades of meaningful scientific contributions, we are proud to be a recognised global leader in marine mammal science, education and, in particular, providing preeminent care to all of our marine mammals.
"With rising threats to our oceans and their inhabitants, supporting independently accredited zoological facilities is more important than ever. No company does more to protect marine mammals and advance cetacean research, rescue and conservation than SeaWorld."
Virgin Holiday’s move heaps further misery on attractions such as SeaWorld, which has seen its visitor numbers fall since the release of the documentary, Blackfish, which chronicled the fate of Tilikum, a captive whale at SeaWorld’s Orlando park that was involved in the deaths of three people, including a veteran orca trainer. SeaWorld called the film “manipulative”.
It also raises the prospect of more British tour operators ceasing ticket sales of similar attractions. Tui, one of the largest operators in Europe, for example, still offers deals to SeaWorld Orlando.
Dr Jan-Schmidt Burbach, global wildlife advisor at World Animal Protection, said he was “genuinely thrilled” by Virgin Holidays’ decision.
“We know that the majority of people who engage in animal activities when they’re on holiday, do so because they love wild animals, unaware of the suffering that goes on behind the scenes.
“This is why it’s encouraging to see Virgin Holidays look to strengthen and support its wild whale and dolphin excursions, which puts the needs of the animals first, as well as investing in solutions for captive cetaceans, such as coastal sanctuaries.”
Dylan Walker, CEO of the World Cetacean Alliance, said: “History will show that this was absolutely the right decision by Virgin Holidays. Whales and dolphins are complex and intelligent animals whose needs can only be met in the wild.
"To understand them involves seeing them in their ocean home, which is why we are extremely pleased that Virgin Holidays is committed to investing and supporting responsible wild whale and dolphin excursions moving forward."
Inspiration for your inbox
Sign up to Telegraph Travel's new weekly newsletter for the latest features, advice, competitions, exclusive deals and comment.