Introduction
When talking about nature, we need to talk about biodiversity first. “Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems to maintain balance and support life. Biodiversity supports everything in nature that we need to survive: food, clean water, medicine, and shelter” (WWF, 2021). However, it is no secret that global biodiversity is highly threatened, which leads to the loss and degradation of ecosystems, which has a negative impact on food security, nutrition, access to water, health of people worldwide. Therefore, it is important to take responsibility as a hotel owner to protect the beauty of your destination.
Further, animal attractions and experiences are now a common part of many holidays, but while they are undoubtedly popular, guests want to be assured of high animal welfare standards. TUI takes an active approach to animal welfare.
Your guide to nature and wildlife
Animals and excursions
In case you promote guest excursions where animals can be seen it is important that they are in their natural habitat. These excursions are preferred above excursions which only focus on captive* animals. Wildlife and animal interaction can be an important element for the success of many holiday destinations. The local ecology, wildlife and the fact that your hotel takes responsibility for animal welfare can be a key driver for why guests choose to stay at the property.Animal welfare standards
Keep in mind that animal welfare standards should be met, whether it concerns captive animals in zoos, or the protection of local wildlife. Interactions between people and animals are managed to ensure safety and wellbeing of all, are important ingredients in protecting the environment, the destination and your business. Take a look at the Animal Welfare Guideline for Hotels (in Downloads below). For more information about TUI animal welfare policy and position: https://www.tuigroup.com/en-en/responsibility/animal-welfareDiving
It’s hard to find a guest who doesn’t like diving or snorkling to discover the blue underwater world. In case you promote such activities, please emphasise the importance of not touching the beauties of the sea: fish, turtles and coral. Due to high vulnerability, especially coral, they could be easily damaged (and eventually die) once they are touched which has a negative effect on marine biodiversity.Stray animals
Do you have a procedure or policy in place about ethical ways to deal with stray animals at the property? Stray animals can be a highly visible and emotive issue amongst guests. Some hoteliers choose to start a ‘stray animal programme’ where they “adopt” them let them be neutered. Further, the animals are regularly checked and vaccinated. Sick animals will also be treated by a veterinarian. It is recommended to inform guests about your initiative that you are helping strays.Beehives
Don’t we all like food? Especially while being on holiday? Bees are responsible for 90% of the pollination of flowers and plants, where more than 60% of the pollination of our food crops depends on pollination by bees. So to support local biodiversity you can install or support local beehives to restore the ecological balance.Protected habitats
Is your hotel located close to a sensitive or protected habitat? Think of what steps you could take to contribute to keep protecting it. Can you involve your staff and guests? For example, when there are nesting turtles at the beach of your hotel the hatchlings can get disoriented by the hotel lights as they usually walk towards the moon light. Therefore it is recommended to turn off your beach lights during nesting season. Also, it’s good to tell your guests about it while asking them to keep distance to protect them.Gardening
It is recommended to use organic fertilizers instead of using chemical ones or pesticides in your garden, which have a negative effect on biodiversity. Further planting “invasive” plant species could cause damage to native species and disrupt the entire local ecosystem, from insects to birds. Therefore we recommend to plant native species only, and provide insect hotels, attractive plants for butterflies and bees, and nesting places for birds.Going vegan
Besides having vegetarian and vegan meals in your restaurant, you might think of a less obvious way to go vegan: have you ever considered purchasing personal care and cosmetic products with certifications that show they are not tested on animals? Widely recognised certifications for cruelty free cosmetic products include the Leaping Bunny of Cruelty Free International & CCIC (the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics), PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). The Beauty without Bunnies logo is also identified globally and PETA offer a searchable database, identifying products that are test-fee and / or Vegan.Promote responsible excursions
You are probably proud of the local destination where you welcome your hotel guests. They often ask your advice what’s to do or see in the surroundings. Include responsible excursions as one of the options you promote. Examples are: hiking or bicycling with a local guide, bird watching, doing a wildlife photography workshop, or achieving a PADI dive certificateServe organic
In case you haven’t got it included in your hotel menus yet, start adding organic local products to it. Organic means that fruits and vegetables have not been grown on chemical fertilizers or pesticides, only on natural basis. Organic meat, means that the animals have only been fed with organic food, which is much better for their and our health when eating the meat. Organic highly contributes to a higher soil fertility and living organisms, which contributes to local biodiversity.Best practices
Helping street animals – TUI Magic Life Waterworld
TUI MAGIC LIFE Waterworld has a heart for local animals. A separate area has been created for the street cats around the hotel. The cats are ved here and the veterinarian regularly pays a visit.
Protecting turtles – TUI Blue El Dorado Seaside Suites & Spa (Mexico)
Between May and November, turtles use the beach at TUI BLUE Seaside Suites & Spa to lay their eggs. To protect these turtles, the hotel has set up a program. Together with volunteers, they protect the nests of the turtles and relocate them if necessary. In this way, together with two other hotels, they have given more than 50,000 little turtles a good start since 2012.
Exploring the coral reef – ROBINSON Club Soma Bay (Egypt)
ROBINSON Club Soma Bay in Egypt organizes school trips to observe the coral reef. This way the students get to know the impressive underwater world. This creates more awareness of the marine ecosystem.
Downloads & links
Animal welfare guidelines for hotels
ABTA Animal Welfare Guidelines
The ABTA Animal Welfare Guidelines bring together existing guidance and are intended for travel providers to issue to their suppliers, for tourist boards and relevant destination authorities as well as animal attractions. Read more here.