In a victory for animal rights, Airbnb has stopped promoting and selling tickets for camel rides at the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Following pressure from animal rights advocates, Airbnb has stated that it will no longer promote or sell tickets for animal rides at the Great Pyramids of Giza. This decision comes after discussions with PETA (United States), an organization that has campaigned for years against the use of animals in the tourism industry.
Animal rides at the pyramids have faced criticism for years, and investigations have revealed mistreatment of camels and horses used in these tourist attractions.
PETA has documented cases of abused animals, subjected to excessive work and neglect. Many camels, deemed too old or weak, are sent to slaughterhouses, where they are sacrificed under brutal conditions.
Airbnb joins a growing list of travel companies moving away from these practices. Other operators, such as British Airways Holidays, easyJet Holidays, G Adventures, and Hays Travel, have already removed camel rides from their offerings. Activists hope that these measures will encourage tourists to make more ethical choices when visiting historical sites.
Issues in the tourism industry regarding animal treatment
The treatment of camels at the pyramids is part of a larger problem in the tourism industry. Investigations have found that camels and horses used for rides in Egypt are regularly beaten, deprived of water and rest, and abandoned when they are no longer profitable.
Images show camels being hit in the genitals to force them to stand up and workers cutting their necks while they are still conscious. Beyond Egypt, similar cases of cruelty can be found in other animal attractions.
Marine parks like SeaWorld have been criticized for keeping dolphins and orcas in captivity, where they suffer stress and health problems due to unnatural living conditions.
While many tour operators are removing these attractions from their offerings, dolphin shows remain a popular tourist activity, despite the growing awareness of how these intelligent animals are forced to perform tricks in confined spaces.
Animals used for entertainment experience distress and suffering, even when the cruelty is not immediately evident to tourists. Activists urge visitors not to support industries that exploit animals for profit.
The future of animal tourism
Airbnb’s decision to stop promoting camel rides is a step in the right direction, but activists argue that more must be done to protect animals. While travel companies may choose not to sell tickets, real change will come when attractions using animals for entertainment are completely banned.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has promised reforms, but mistreatment at the pyramids continues. Activists emphasize that more decisive measures are needed, including a total ban on the use of horses and camels at tourist sites.
Tourists also play a crucial role in eradicating animal exploitation. As long as people continue to pay for these rides, these industries will persist. Choosing ethical alternatives, such as walking tours or guided visits that do not involve animals, can help reduce demand and promote lasting change.
Cover photo: Getty Images
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