CATCH-UP: Evaluating Captive Wildlife Attractions & Activities

Have you been caught between taking an ethical position on animal attractions and clients who want to include them in their itineraries? Has it been challenging to turn-down revenue from selling animal interactions, putting ethics ahead of income in this dire time? Have you found it difficult to apply the SATSA Tool to selecting ethical animal attractions and interactions? Have you struggled with how to communicate to clients the ethical position on animal interactions and to get their buy-in?

Are you invested in making good choices about the animal attractions and activities you support?

These are the most common concerns brought to SATSA, by the travel trade and tourists alike, since the launch of their Guide & Tool for Evaluating Captive Wildlife Attractions & Activities.

Captive wildlife attractions and interactions remain a complex, contentious and emotionally-charged issue, with increasing public sentiment, both locally and internationally, against tourism experiences that exploit animals. Since Africa’s wildlife and communities are the bedrock of our tourism industry we have lift our eyes to the Endgame and act now to highlight these key competitive advantages rather than promote the short-termism of irresponsible practices that harm the reputation of Destination South Africa.  As we emerge from travel bans and compete in the global market of destination choices, let’s equip ourselves to position Brand South Africa positively in the animal tourism space and redeem its reputation and position amongst competitor tourism destinations.  Join SATSA’s Responsible Tourism Committee Chair, Keira Powers, for an interactive Africa Travel Week – SATSA webinar on the practical use of the on the locally-born, locally-relevant guide and toolkit– particularly pertinent as South Africa prepares to ban captive wildlife breeding.