The Travel Corporation USA’s (TTC) family of brands, including African Travel, Inc., Brendan Vacations, Contiki, Grand European Travel, Insight Vacations, Lion World Travel, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Trafalgar, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, have announced that they are adopting a new TreadRight Animal Welfare Policy in collaboration with The TreadRight Foundation.
The adoption of the TreadRight Animal Welfare Policy aims to help ensure that all of the company’s experiences meet globally recognized animal welfare criteria, TTC said. Based on the “Five Freedoms,” a compact of rights for animals under human control, the Animal Welfare Policy asserts that animals under human control should have freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury, and disease; freedom to express normal behavior; and freedom from fear and distress.
This newly adopted policy will assist TTC’s operations team as they vet and assess all animal related activities offered. Activities that may not be in line with the TreadRight Animal Welfare Policy will be phased out and replaced with activities that meet and exceed these standards.
As part of the new commitment, on October 4, World Animal Day, TTC joined World Animal Protection in signing the Elephant-friendly Tourist Pledge. By signing the pledge, TTC committed not to sell, offer or promote venues or activities involving elephant rides and shows. TTC and its brands said they commit to offer only those with a high standard of elephant welfare and conservation, with responsible viewing of elephants in wild or semi-wild habitats.
Visit thetravelcorporation.com