Shocking Report Uncovers Dolphin Suffering TUI Hides from Tourists

Despite claims to uphold animal welfare, the global travel giant continues to profit from facilities that breed dolphins for commercial purposes — a clear violation of their own policies.

TUI Group markets itself as a responsible, animal-friendly brand, offering “family-friendly” dolphin shows and experiences. However, a deeper look into what is on sale reveals a much darker reality.

The captive dolphin entertainment industry

This is an industry where dolphins are confined to torturously tiny tanks, designed for tourist visibility, not animal welfare—smooth, sterile enclosures that strip them of any natural environment.

Exposed to harmful chemicals and infections, they are often drugged to cope with the trauma of captivity. Made to endlessly repeat the same tricks for crowds, they suffer immense psychological stress, leading to self-mutilation, aggression, and lifelong suffering.

All for the sake of entertainment and profit.

The report exposes that TUI continues to sell tickets for venues where dolphins are bred and subjected to conditions that could never be considered "humane" or "educational." Their animal welfare claims are a facade.

The findings of the report include:

• Breeding of dolphins in many venues, contrary to TUI Group’s policy.
• Physical trauma including eye lesions, skin raking, and self-mutilation.
• Older dolphins have been made to perform for tourists for decades.
• Pregnant dolphins are required to perform, despite the strain it puts on their health.
• Separation of mothers and calves during interactions, causing further distress.

Kanab is a 32 year old dolphin at Delphinus Puerto Morelos in Mexico. His teeth are worn down and one tooth is missing. 

Dolphins often wear their teeth down by biting concrete walls, gates or other structures. However, the depigmentation of the frontal rostrum (snout) is indicative of repeated injury. 

When the venue was visited by researchers in 2024, Kanab was living in a sea pen with a depth of less than 2m. This means the average dolphin cannot even dive beyond one whole body length.

TUI’s practices aren’t going unnoticed

• 83% of TUI customers across five countries care about animal welfare when choosing travel experiences.
• 84% of respondents believe TUI should stop selling tickets to marine parks that breed dolphins based on their animal welfare policy
• Travel companies like Booking.com, Expedia Group, Tripadvisor, Jet2Holidays, Virgin Holidays, easyJet Holidays, Airbnb, Thomas Cook and Spies refuse to profit from captive dolphin entertainment.
• Countries like Canada, France, Belgium, and most recently Mexico have banned captive breeding, and the last captive dolphin venue in the UK closed 30 years ago.

Meanwhile, TUI Group continues to sell over 400 offers to captive dolphin entertainment venues, fuelling an industry that keeps dolphins trapped for life.