Online travel company Responsible Travel has recently conducted an investigation into turtle hatcheries around the world and as a result, has removed some trips from its collection and has worked with other operators to modify trip itineraries. This is the first time a travel company has taken a stand on turtle hatcheries.

The move comes as a result of a review from a concerned traveller and prompted the company to investigate the issues more deeply. After speaking with NGOs and researching further, the company has drafted its own guidelines on what travellers, and travel companies should look out for: https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/turtle-conservation/travel-guide/sea-turtle-hatcheries

CEO and co-founder of Responsible Travel, Justin Francis said:

“The ethics and practices of turtle hatcheries are not widely discussed or written about. However, as we delved a little deeper, problems such as overcrowding, the negative impact of handling turtles and eggs, the detrimental effect of keeping hatchlings in tanks and many other issues quickly became apparent.

“It is clear that some establishments are 'cashing in' on oblivious tourists who are being led to believe they are helping with turtle conservation during a volunteer project or holiday when in fact, quite the opposite is true.

“Turtle hatcheries should be a last resort; if the threat to the eggs from poaching or erosion is so great they can no longer remain in situ. We hope our new guidelines we help raise awareness of the importance for both travel companies and travellers to ask questions of the places they wish to visit, in advance of going there.”

For those wanting to see/work with sea turtles on their travels, the company continues to support responsible projects that meet the new guidelines. Responsible Travel's full collection of turtle conservation holidays can be found here: https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/turtle-conservation

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Notes to editors:

Contact:

Krissy Roe

press@responsibletravel.com

07717 348368

About Responsible Travel

Responsible Travel is a matchmaking service, bringing together travellers with carefully screened tour operators offering authentic and responsible tourism. The company is growing 30% year on year with its profits dependent on an 'Honesty Box' where tour operators voluntarily declare their commission. It is a member of ABTA. The holiday collection includes tours from almost 400 small, specialist and ethical tour operators and operates in 190+ countries.

Alongside the holidays it markets, Responsible Travel has two other core programmes to drive positive change in the tourism industry:

- Activism – campaigning for more responsible types of tourism worldwide.

- Trip for a Trip - Funding a day trip for a disadvantaged child for every holiday booking (where the customer opts in).

To read latest news, visit: https://www.responsibletravel.com/#news 

CEO Justin Francis has been included in Courvoisiers The Future 500, Thames and Hudsons 60 Innovators Shaping Our Creative Future and taken his place on the Advisory Board of The International Centre for Responsible Tourism.