Brief - The Hustle

TripAdvisor says it’s Shamu’s world, and we’re just living in it

Written by Amanda Lewellyn | Jun 30, 2020 11:17:44 AM

Starting in 2020, TripAdvisor is ending all ticket sales for attractions that breed, import, or capture cetaceans, AKA whales, dolphins, and porpoises (oh my!). 

Parks and aquariums around the world will no longer be visible on the platform — a pre-purchase stop for the majority of online travelers. 

Animal rights — on par for a company with an owl in the logo 

In 2016, TripAdvisor made a splash with its OG animal welfare policy, which cut off attractions that put travelers in contact with animals in captivity. This is the second time they’ve tightened the restrictions since. 

The company says the changes are coming after conversations with animal experts — but it’s also clear they’re jumping through hoops in response to consumer pressure

According to TripAdvisor data, more than 80% of their users believe animals shouldn’t be kept in captivity just to entertain us landlubbers. The stat echoes Gallup polling tracking a broader trend toward public support for animal rights. 

So this is bad news for SeaWorld, huh? 

Yep. As consumers push corporations to take on more social responsibility, it looks like there could be casualties. 

Even though SeaWorld has spent years rebranding after public sentiment for the park took a nosedive — there may be no coming back from the “Blackfish” blacklist.