Thomson/TUI say no to Turkey but yes to Dubai

Following the exposure of conditions at a captive dolphin facility in Turkey earlier this month, the Marine Connection is happy to report that we have received written confirmation from Thomson that both they and their parent company TUI Travel PLC have stopped selling excursions to the facility. After numerous reports and complaints from concerned visitors and animal welfare organisations, Thomson conducted an inspection of the facility which keeps four bottlenose dolphins in a small sea pen, and took the decision to cease collaboration with the facility.

Whilst the Marine Connection welcomes this decision, we remain concerned that Thomson/TUI continue to promote captive dolphin facilities worldwide, many of which keep animals taken from the wild.

Just as we received notification that the company had ceased selling to the facility in Turkey, we are saddened to report that Thomson have now commenced promotion of the Palm Atlantis resort in Dubai - a facility which imported 28 wild caught bottlenose dolphins from the Solomon Islands last year.

Please take a moment to read our report and email the company outlining your concern at them continuing to profit from captive dolphins.