Animals and Tourism
Animals and humans have been together for centuries, often as integral parts of our lives. Historically, humans needed animals for survival as both food or in domesticated situations such as farming or transportation. While the connections between animals and humans changed to where we do not rely on domesticated animals for survival, animals still captivate us. One of the connections people seek to make with animals is by interacting through tourism whether it be zoos, aquariums, riding horseback on a beach, or snorkeling with sharks. Tourism and animals intertwined for years, but the big question is can animals and tourism coexist in an ethical manner that does not harm the animals?
Animal Tourism and Wildlife Tourism: What’s the Difference?
There are two different terms for animal tourism; animal tourism and wildlife tourism. Animal tourism can be riding camels, horses, elephants, or donkeys as part of a tour, or it can mean animal sanctuaries and conservations. Wildlife tourism is specific. There is an exchange of money, but the interaction or observation between travelers and animals is conducted in the animal’s natural habitat. This type of tourism has been growing in popularity, often under the term “eco-tourism.” Safari tours and mountain tourism are two other popular types of wildlife tourism.
The definition of animal tourism is an activity where humans pay to observe or interact with an animal in a controlled environment. There are positive aspects of Animal tourism such as sanctuaries and conservations; both work to save and protect animals while educating and informing audiences. The animal may be in captivity but safe environments which mimic the animals’ natural habitat as much as possible are used. Sanctuaries and conservations do valuable work such as rehabilitating and rescuing animals that can no longer live in their natural habitat.
The Problem with Animal Tourism
Unfortunately, animal tourism is typically (and not unjustly) viewed as negative when looking at examples such as dancing bears, donkey rides, and swimming with dolphins. Donkey rides in particular have come under fire as part of tourist experiences. The problem occurs because the companies in charge of the animals allow riders who are heavier than what is safe for the donkey to carry. Other concerns are that the animals are underfed and overworked. The donkeys, horses, and camels stand at hitching posts or work outside with no covering from the elements for long amounts of time, or carry burdens above what is safe. They also work long hours through difficult terrains such as steep climbs, or hot, hard ground.
You still see places offering versions of “swim with ________” (usually dolphins), and “take a photo with an animal,” especially if you walk through tourist areas like cruise ship piers. However, many travel-related agencies such as TravelAdvisor and their sister site, Viator, are overall no longer connect with activities relating to animals held in captivity. According to Statista, the “wildlife tourism industry worldwide is expected to grow significantly until 2023.” In the United States, “this market was estimated to be valued at 128 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, [and] is forecast to rise to nearly 220 billion U.S. dollars by 2032.”
While these attractions have long been huge income generators for tourist-based locations, the problem of the animals’ welfare has come under fire. With movies like “Blackfish,” “Free Willy,” and “Seaspiracy,” more in-depth investigations have revealed sad and cruel truths.
Donkey Riding in Santorini, Greece
While donkeys have been used throughout history for riding and carrying burdens, Santorini, Greece made international headlines in starting in 2016 because of the abuse of donkeys used for tourist experiences. Donkeys are more often used for riding experiences because donkeys are smarter and calmer than horses, which are easily spooked. Donkeys also have a smoother gait which feels closer to a human’s, making the ride feel smoother.
The problems in Santorini, Greece are common tourism-related concerns. The equipment used is not always safe or can be ill-fitting. This can make the ride potentially harmful to both rider and animal. One of the most problematic issues though is allowing obese customers to ride the donkeys.
The Delicate Balance Between Customer Satisfaction and Animal Safety
The problem is how to turn away the customer without fat-shaming and embarrassing the tourist. Turning someone away because they are too heavy can have a negative outcome through lost income and bad reviews. But allowing a customer who exceeds the limits to ride places the animal in harm’s way. Many tours do include a weight limit in their descriptions, but the workers at the actual event do not always enforce those requirements.
According to a 2019 article in The Guardian, author Helena Smith said, “With as many as 17,000 tourists a day disembarking from cruise ships off the 76 sq km Cycladic isle, demand [to travel] has soared. Under the pressure, more equines have been recorded suffering from spinal injuries, saddle sores, and exhaustion in recent years than ever before.”
What is Being Done to Help?
In the case of Santorini, the combined efforts of The Donkey Sanctuary with the Greek Animal Welfare Fund/Animal Action Hellas (GAWF) held talks with Santorini’s mayor in August 2018 where several improvements such as ‘install[ing] a permanent, free-flowing water trough at the top of Fira Port steps to hydrate working animals, repair and extend the shelter, and install a permanent water trough at the bottom of Fira Port steps” were suggested. After both the talks with Santorini’s mayor and public pressure, including a petition signed by more than 108,000 people, the Greek government created a legislature stating donkeys could not carry “any load exceeding 100kg (15st), or one-fifth of [their] body weight.”
The Donkey Sanctuary partnered with CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) to ask tourists to put themselves “In Their Hooves” regarding animals’ working conditions. “Our ‘In Their Hooves’ campaign aims to encourage tourists to stop and think before using donkey taxis to climb the steep steps at Fira port,” said Catherine Rice, PR officer at The Donkey Sanctuary, speaking specifically of tours in Greece.
How to be a Responsible Tourist…
In fairness, there are good companies that treat their animals well. Animal tourism is not all bad, but there are issues an informed traveler should bear in mind. As part of the effort to encourage travelers’ awareness involving animals, the Donkey Sanctuary created a short video and campaign, “In Their Hooves” (see above).
With all of this information, can you safely embark on a horse or donkey riding tour? Yes, with a little research. Look at The Donkey Sanctuary’s questions to ask yourself before booking a tour or Brooke’s “Happy Horses Holiday Code” to help you assess the situation once you are on site.
Finding Fantastic Beasts has a few questions you can ask yourself while looking at the animals in question:
Is the horse or donkey moving normally? Do they show signs of lameness?
Is the hair coat clean and healthy appearing? Is the horse or donkey missing hair anywhere?
Does the horse or donkey have any wounds present? Is there evidence of scarring from old wounds?
Does the horse or donkey seem happy and interested in their surroundings? Are they willing to do their job?
Does the horse or donkey seem fearful of their handler or other humans?
You don’t need to be an expert to see if there are wounds or sores, or if the animals look happy or fearful. By asking yourself these questions before and during your trip, you can be a responsible tourist. You can also donate to groups such as Brooke and The Donkey Sanctuary to help other animals in need.