The Complicated Business of Saving Elephant Tourism: A Skift Deep Dive
Photo Credit: Tourists riding elephants in the Thai city of Ayutthaya. VisualHunt / Thomas Hackl
Skift Take
Given the complexity of Asian elephant tourism, it's natural for rifts to form. A lot of people want to do the right thing, but there are many issues that are still up in the air — and a lot of business is at stake.
Elephant Rides on the Wane. How Ethical is the Elephant Sanctuary You’re Visiting? In Thailand, You Can Ride an Elephant. But Should You? These recent news headlines might lead the casual reader to think that all is well with Asian elephant welfare. Add to that, there is a growing number of travel companies that have discontinued selling venues that offer elephant rides. One would think that the cause is making strides and awareness is growing in the battle to end pachyderm abuse.
Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Far from a comfortable state where everyone is collaborating with one another to protect these highly intelligent, social animals, the world of Asian elephant tourism is wracked with jumbo divisions and confusion.
Broadly, two polarizing camps have emerged, both claiming to be science-based and not driven by emotions or self-serving interests. Whether future generations of tourists will still ride Asian elephants will be determined by whic
