The Foundation for Advice and Action in Defense of Animals (FAADA), in collaboration with IATI Insurance, presented the first online course in Spanish focused on “Responsible Tourism with Animals”. Specifically designed for tour operators and travel agencies, the program seeks to provide practical and theoretical tools to offer travel experiences free from animal exploitation and mistreatment.
This initiative arises from the inclusion of activities with wild animals, many associated with exploitation that currently represent between 20% and 40% of tourism. According to a study by the University of Oxford, more than 550,000 animals suffer negative consequences due to these practices, while 110 million tourists participate in activities involving cruelty to animals, often promoted by travel agencies and tour operators.
For this reason, and for over a decade, FAADA has led the campaign “Responsible Tourism with Animals,” promoting ethical ways of traveling that respect all living beings and help preserve threatened species. It is the only NGO in Spain specialized in this field.
After years of work with travel agencies and industry professionals, FAADA, with the support of IATI Insurance, managed to launch this unique training. In this sense, Andrea Torres, biologist and coordinator of the Wild Animals area at FAADA, explains that no trip can be considered “sustainable” or “responsible” if the consequences are paid by wildlife, the planet, and people.
What is the Responsible Tourism with Animals course like?
The course “Responsible Tourism with Animals” has over 20 hours of content and is taught by experts in wildlife and veterinary. It also includes audiovisual material, readings, interviews with specialists, and practical cases. Furthermore, participants will receive a certificate upon passing a final assessment.
The course aimed at agencies, tour operators, journalists, bloggers, and travel influencers trains professionals to identify activities harmful to animals and their habitat, and offers them ethical alternatives for their clients.
For this reason, Alfonso Calzado, CEO of IATI Insurance, highlighted that society is changing and that there is increasing awareness about the impact of tourism travel. He also emphasized that this course is essential for any company seeking excellence in responsible tourism. Traveling should be an enriching experience that does not harm animals. Therefore, it is important that tour operators play an active role in educating and guiding tourists towards responsible practices.
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