Brooke’s Responsible Tourism Campaign Gains Support
Not all equine animals used in the tourist trade are kept in the best welfare conditions. Photo courtesy of Martin Usbourne.
The Responsible Tourism for Animals campaign urges tourists to think and act responsibly, especially in regard to equine animals employed in the tourist trade. To support the campaign Thomas Cook UK & Ireland has included the Happy Horses Holiday Code in its resort information provided to holidaymakers, in destinations where donkeys and horses are used.
Here are some simple questions taken from the Brooke’ Happy Horses Holiday Code which every tourist should ask before riding on one of the many equine animals promoted to tourists:
- Is the animal happy and healthy?
- Can it carry/ pull my weight?
- Am I paying a fair price?
Andy Cooper, Director of Government & External Affairs at Thomas Cook Group, said, “Thomas Cook UK & Ireland has been actively addressing sustainability issues for many years. We take responsible tourism very seriously, so we are delighted to support the Brooke’s campaign.”
Some equine animals in the tourist trade are forced to carry more weight than they should. Photo courtesy of Martin Usbourne.
“We are urging tourists to do their bit and work with us to reduce animal suffering across the world. It’s simple: think before you ride! By following the Brooke’s Happy Horses Holiday Code when on holiday, all tourists can help make a huge difference to the lives of working horses and donkeys overseas.”
The Brooke is a UK charity dedicated to alleviating the suffering of horses, donkeys and mules across the developing world. Read more about their work here.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
