Webjet, stop cashing in on animal suffering
WHY THIS CAMPAIGN
Animals shouldn’t be made to suffer for tourist entertainment.
But that is happening right now because of online travel agency Webjet Group Limited (ASX: WJL).
In 2023, Webjet began partnering with Hong Kong-based online travel agency Klook and started selling cruel experiences that exploit wild animals.
Global animal rights organisation World Animal Protection found that Webjet offers captive wildlife experiences to customers; many of which are deemed “low welfare” due to mistreatment of animals, disease, inadequate housing and severe lack of enrichment.
Despite engagement following World Animal Protection’s exposé on Webjet, the company has yet to take comprehensive action to manage this risk for its investors and end the sale of animal suffering.
SIX and World Animal Protection are building shareholder power to pressure the company to take action and stop cashing in on animal suffering. If Webjet continues to sell these cruel experiences, we will take this issue to a shareholder resolution, holding the board accountable for failing animals and travellers in the bright spotlight of their AGM.
PROBLEM
Demand for “responsible tourism” is growing: Travellers are increasingly considering the ethics of their travel choices. World Animal Protection’s 2022 global travel consumer survey found that 82% of participants believe tour operators should not sell activities that cause suffering for wild animals.
Webjet is becoming an industry outlier: Travel companies are increasingly adopting wildlife-friendly policies and ending wildlife entertainment experiences. This includes Australian and New Zealand-based companies such as Intrepid and World Expeditions, as well as global competitors such as Booking.com and The Travel Corporation. Through the partnership with Klook, Webjet is falling behind.
Mistreatment of animals is rife on Webjet’s platform: There are numerous wild animal experiences featured on Webjet, including orcas, dolphins, elephants, primates and koalas. Monkeys being forced into circus acts, elephants being abusively trained for tourist shows, and dolphin performances are all experiences you can book through the Webjet and Klook partnership. These require cruel captivity and training practices to ensure the animal can be close to tourists.
OPPORTUNITY
Webjet needs to walk the walk: Webjet has previously published blogs on the importance of sustainable travel and avoiding cruel wildlife experiences, showing that they recognise what their customers want to see. Unfortunately, this is not yet matching their actions.
End this problematic partnership: Until Klook improves and enforces a strong animal welfare policy, Webjet must end their partnership with Klook to protect animals and travellers.
Work with the animal welfare experts to develop practices that protect animals: World Animal Protection is offering to work with Webjet and Klook to develop and implement strong animal welfare practices, for the safety and wellbeing of these animals.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Already own shares in Webjet?
Sign SIX’s agency agreement ensuring you will be on the list of shareholders supporting SIX’s resolutions with this company.
Don’t own shares in Webjet?
You can create a SIX trading account and use the SIX platform to purchase shares in Webjet.
You can also use your existing share trading platform to buy these shares and sign SIX’s agency agreement.
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References
World Animal Protection, Caught in a Web of Cruelty: How animals suffer for Webjet's profits, 2024, https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.au/siteassets/documents/reports/caught-in-a-web-of-cruelty-2025.pdf
Header image: World Animal Protection
