A British charity has welcomed the support of a major travel firm in its campaign to ensure working animals get a fair deal from tourists.
 An all too familar sight in tourist areas in the Middle East. 
© Martin Usbourne
|
The Brooke charity, which works internationally to help working equines, is into the second year
of its Responsible Tourism for Animals campaign.
It said it welcomed the support from Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, the second-largest leisure travel group in the UK, with about 19,000 employees.
The Brooke campaign seeks to have tourists take action by pledging support and following its Happy Horses Holiday Code.
The charity says it is determined to highlight the unnecessary suffering of hundreds of thousands of equines employed in the tourist trade endure in the name of holiday fun.
The campaign wants tourists to think and act responsibly. It says it can spread the message even further with Thomas Cook UK & Ireland's support.
The travel firm is now including the Happy Horses Holiday Code in its resort information provided to holidaymakers, in destinations where donkeys and horses are used.
The key factors are ensuring that the animal is happy and healthy, that it is capable of carrying or pulling the person's weight, and that the price being paid for the ride is fair.
Thomas Cook spokesman Andy Cooper said the company was delighted to support the campaign, saying the firm had been actively addressing sustainability issues for many years.
"We take responsible tourism very seriously," he said.
Brooke spokeswoman Kimberly Wells said: "When people travel overseas, their excitement of being on holiday can often overshadow consideration for the welfare of horses and donkeys they use.
"Whilst a carriage or donkey ride can be fun and also provide a vital income for animal owners, not every horse and donkey is fit for the journey.
 A carriage horse in Petra struggles under his load. © Martin Usbourne |
"We are urging tourists to do their bit and work with us to reduce animal suffering across the world.
"It's simple: think before you ride."
She said following the Happy Horses Code on holiday can help make a huge difference to the lives of working horses and donkeys overseas.
The Brooke works in 11 countries across Asia, Africa, Central America and the Middle East, including popular tourist destinations such as Cairo, Luxor, Edfu and Petra.
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