TUI faces Hanover protest over dolphin and whale captivity
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Animal groups protest at TUI HQ urging an end to dolphin and whale captivity shows. Over 750,000 voices demand change.
Twenty-one animal protection organisations, including World Animal Protection, PETA Germany and Whale and Dolphin Conservation, gathered outside TUI headquarters in Hanover to protest the company's continued sale of dolphin and whale shows.
Campaigners demanded that TUI immediately stop selling tickets to dolphinariums and 'swim-with-dolphin' experiences, highlighting the suffering of more than 500 dolphins and whales kept in captivity for tourist entertainment.
A life-size orca on a flatbed truck formed the centrepiece of the protest, joined by LED trucks and bicycle billboards, symbolising how these sentient animals are reduced to mere merchandise in the tourism industry.
TUI falling behind industry standards
A new World Animal Protection report, Stories of Suffering, reveals that TUI continues to promote trips to at least 37 facilities worldwide where around 589 dolphins and whales are confined.
In contrast, other major travel operators including Expedia Group and Booking.com have already removed dolphin shows from their offerings.
By continuing to sell tickets to such venues, TUI undermines its own animal welfare guidelines and prioritises profit over animal wellbeing.
The public have also been vocal about TUI's actions. Research shows that 84% of TUI customers believe the company should stop selling tickets to marine parks that breed dolphins.
Yet TUI has refused to act.
The travel giant is still actively selling and promoting tickets to Loro Parque, a venue known to have had 4 residential orcas die since 2021, and had Morgan the captive orca perform whilst heavily pregnant. Her newborn calf, Teno is now being exploited for tourists.
TUI continues to profit from the suffering of dolphins and whales who are forced to spend their lives in tiny, barren concrete tanks.
With every ticket sold, the company prolongs this cruel business.
Our campaign has received worldwide support from industry professionals, the public and even TUI’s own customers and staff.
But the decision-makers sit in Germany - that’s why today, we stand together with 20 other animal protection organisations, representing well over 750,000 petition signatures and united in our message to TUI Group that the time to stop propping up this cruel industry is now.
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A united call for change
Together, the 21 organisations represented more than 750,000 petition signatures urging TUI to end the sale and promotion of dolphin and whale entertainment.
They are collectively calling on the company to take meaningful action by ending its support for captive shows and investing in sustainable, animal-friendly tourism instead.
Participating organisations included:
- World Animal Protection
- PETA Germany
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation
- FAADA
- GAIA
- Orca Research Trust
- Born Free Foundation
- Marine Connection
- World Cetacean Alliance
- One Voice
- Dolphin Project
- Jane Goodall Institute
- German Animal Welfare Federation
- ProWildlife
- Iberian Orca Guardians
- Association WeWhale
- RSPCA
- Whale Rescue
- Free Morgan Foundation
- Global Orca Charity
- and World Orca Day
By standing together, we’ve shown TUI that the cruelty of dolphin and whale shows cannot be ignored. The company, its investors, and its customers are hearing this message loud and clear.
Now we need to turn that pressure into change. Add your name to the pledge and help us stop TUI from profiting from dolphin and whale suffering.
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