October 31, 2025, 4:20 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Anyone traveling with Dertour in the future will search in vain for excursions featuring dolphins or other marine mammals performing tricks. The German tour operator is making a clear statement—and is joining a growing trend in the travel industry.
Starting in November, the Dertour Group will remove all excursions from its program that lead to facilities where marine mammals are kept in captivity. The company, which also includes the brands ITS and Meiers Weltreisen, announced this decision.
Specifically affected are places such as the SeaWorld amusement park in Florida, Loro Parque in Tenerife, Rancho Texas Park in Lanzarote, Dolphin Explorer in the Dominican Republic, and Delfinario de Cayo Coco in Cuba. Excursions to these facilities will no longer be bookable through the tour operator.
No More Dolphin Shows
The company justifies the decision with the protection and welfare of whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals. The goal is to protect the welfare of these animals and to set a clear example for responsible tourism, according to the company’s statement.
Prohibited are offerings that involve direct contact between humans and animals—such as swimming with dolphins. Shows where marine mammals must display unnatural behavior will also be discontinued. Programs requiring animals to leave the water to perform—known as “beaching”—are also excluded.
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The keeping of marine mammals in amusement parks and zoos has been controversial for years. Animal rights activists criticize the practice as not species-appropriate and point to the suffering of animals in captivity. Operators like Loro Parque counter with their commitments to research and species conservation.
With its new policy, Dertour clearly aligns itself with animal rights advocates. According to the industry portal “Reisevor9,” the company is following an industry trend that other travel providers have already joined.
Tui Sticks to Offers with Marine Mammals
Unlike Dertour, the tourism company Tui has so far been less restrictive. Experiences like visiting Loro Parque remain part of its offerings on booking platforms. There, orcas and dolphins regularly perform shows for audiences.
“We are committed to ensuring that animals are treated with respect and cared for according to the highest animal welfare standards during these experiences,” a Tui spokesperson said. Compliance with these standards is regularly reviewed—based on internationally recognized guidelines and in collaboration with independent animal welfare experts.