Post by veggiewoman on Oct 10, 2007 15:44:10 GMT
From www.marineconnection.org
Thomson the travel operators who profit from dolphins in captivity by selling excursions to facilities such as Dolphinella in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt and Ocean World Adventure Park, Dominican Republic have been nominated for a World Travel Award. This 'green' award will be presented at a ceremony in December and hopes to 'encourage environmentally responsible travel companies, by offering them the opportunity to showcase their green credentials and ecologically friendly practices". If successful in their category, this would see Thomson labelled the "World's Leading Green Tour Operator".
Janja Novak, Campaigns Development Officer for the Marine Connection comments; "It is a major contradiction for a company that sells excursions to facilities holding captive dolphins and even to one which has shown interest in purchasing wild dolphins from the notorious drive fisheries in Japan, to be nominated for an award that advocates sustainable and responsible tourism".
This is yet another example of a company being allowed to "green wash" their image, Thomson, whose parent comany TUI, are partners in the Year of the Dolphin initiative, continue to profit from both sides of the dolphin coin. TUI are being promoted via the Year of the Dolphin as caring about the conservation of dolphins in the wild, however the Marine Connection believes that companies who profit from animal suffering by promoting captive dolphin facilities cannot offset their practices by saying they are helping to conserve the species in the wild, it is simply ludicrous. For Thomson as part of TUI to be considered for a "Green" tourism award is simply misleading the public who are not aware of the true facts behind their holiday dolphin swim excursion sold to them by this this company.
Read more about Thomson/TUI promoting the captivity industry
The WTA website states that "winning a World Travel Award has become one of the highest accolades a travel product can achieve" and one which, we believe Thomson/TUI do not deserve unless they cease promoting and profiting from dolphins in captivity.
Take Action
Please send a polite email to Mr Graham Cooke, Chief Executive Officer of the World Travel Awards explaining your concern and why you feel Thomson/TUI should not be nominated for the Green Award.
Mr Graham Cooke
Chief Executive Officer
World Travel Awards
12-16 Laystall Street
London
EC1R 4PF
United Kingdom
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7925 0000
Fax. +44 (2) 20 7925 2552
Thomson the travel operators who profit from dolphins in captivity by selling excursions to facilities such as Dolphinella in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt and Ocean World Adventure Park, Dominican Republic have been nominated for a World Travel Award. This 'green' award will be presented at a ceremony in December and hopes to 'encourage environmentally responsible travel companies, by offering them the opportunity to showcase their green credentials and ecologically friendly practices". If successful in their category, this would see Thomson labelled the "World's Leading Green Tour Operator".
Janja Novak, Campaigns Development Officer for the Marine Connection comments; "It is a major contradiction for a company that sells excursions to facilities holding captive dolphins and even to one which has shown interest in purchasing wild dolphins from the notorious drive fisheries in Japan, to be nominated for an award that advocates sustainable and responsible tourism".
This is yet another example of a company being allowed to "green wash" their image, Thomson, whose parent comany TUI, are partners in the Year of the Dolphin initiative, continue to profit from both sides of the dolphin coin. TUI are being promoted via the Year of the Dolphin as caring about the conservation of dolphins in the wild, however the Marine Connection believes that companies who profit from animal suffering by promoting captive dolphin facilities cannot offset their practices by saying they are helping to conserve the species in the wild, it is simply ludicrous. For Thomson as part of TUI to be considered for a "Green" tourism award is simply misleading the public who are not aware of the true facts behind their holiday dolphin swim excursion sold to them by this this company.
Read more about Thomson/TUI promoting the captivity industry
The WTA website states that "winning a World Travel Award has become one of the highest accolades a travel product can achieve" and one which, we believe Thomson/TUI do not deserve unless they cease promoting and profiting from dolphins in captivity.
Take Action
Please send a polite email to Mr Graham Cooke, Chief Executive Officer of the World Travel Awards explaining your concern and why you feel Thomson/TUI should not be nominated for the Green Award.
Mr Graham Cooke
Chief Executive Officer
World Travel Awards
12-16 Laystall Street
London
EC1R 4PF
United Kingdom
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7925 0000
Fax. +44 (2) 20 7925 2552