Animals in Tourism: Animal Encounters and Responsible Tourism

Guidlelines for Elephant Interaction

At Contes Asia Travel we understand that the issue of using elephants for tourism-related purposes is a controversial topic. As such we are reviewing our position and trying to ensure that we are following ‘best practices’ and keeping up with new developments.

Elephants should not be taken from the wild for use in captive environments.

All elephant experience providers should have animal specialists and veterinarians doing regular health checks.

Animals should have access to adequate drinking water.

Elephants should be fed appropriate food, especially when this encourages natural feeding behavior.

Enclosures used to house animals should be clean, hygienic and well maintained.

Elephant experience providers should keep the chaining of elephants to a minimum, i.e. only a few hours per day.

Positive enforcement training methods should be employed and use of the elephant’s ankus (bull-hook) should be kept to a minimum.

Elephants, especially young ones that are introduced to camps, should never go through cruel training rituals.

Elephants should not be trained to perform unnatural actions, for example, tightrope walks.

Where there is contact between tourists and elephants, it should only take place under supervised conditions.

Responsible Tourism and Animal Encounters

At Contes Asia Travel, we believe that viewing wild animals in their natural habitat is the best way to experience the incredible biodiversity Asia still has to offer. However, when not managed responsibly, wildlife encounters have the potential to harm animal welfare and conservation efforts.

Animal Welfare Policy

  • We are the Pround member of TOFTigers Wildlife Association To advocate and encourage more sustainable wildlife tourism in tiger reserves and national parks, by involving in the wildlife tourism equation through applications and adherence to ecotourism best practice guidelines. We always work with Toft signage and PUG Eco ratings lodges.
  • We encourage to  enhance the capacity of local communities to take advantage of existing and future wildlife tourism to help alleviate poverty and support sustainable local development.
  • We support the  catalyse initiatives through the lodge community that enhance wildlife conservation efforts and community support including waste and water management, trade cooperatives, local employment, fair wages and support for local enterprises and services.