WHY US
ANIMONDIAL was established in 2018 to provide Travel & Tourism impartial advice and practical guidance on all animal and nature protection needs. We are a specialist consultancy working with travel and tourism businesses to improve animal welfare, halt biodiversity loss and ensure nature’s recovery.
GUIDING TOURISM TOWARDS A NATURE POSITIVE FUTURE
Widely considered a thought leader in the global sector, ANIMONDIAL helps shape travel & tourism best practice. It has co-created internationally recognised animal welfare guidelines, academically endorsed Biodiversity Literacy training, and the widely adopted Nature Positive Tourism initiative.
Nature Positive Travel & Tourism in Action
(ANIMONDIAL, UN Tourism, World Travel & Tourism Council & World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, 2024)
The first joint publication from the Nature Positive Tourism Partnership, this report builds on the Nature Positive Travel & Tourism report (WTTC, 2022) with practical advice for business and government.
Travel & Tourism: Priority actions towards a nature-positive future
(ANIMONDIAL & Business for Nature, 2023)
Part of the Business for Nature series of “Sector Actions Towards a Nature-Positive Future” this short briefing, written by Daniel Turner, is fully aligned with the Nature Positive initiative.
Nature Positive Travel & Tourism
(ANIMONDIAL & WTTC, 2022)
The first major presentation of the Nature Positive Tourism approach, this report, with Forewords from the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, provides a thorough explanation of why it is needed.
Toolbox of Nature Positive Tourism Resources
(ANIMONDIAL & WTTC, 2022)
This toolbox provides a wealth of information such as examples of common dependencies and impacts, sub-sector specific challenges and actions, and a checklist for integrating the Nature Positive Tourism approach.
Preventing Illegal Wildlife Trade
(ANIMONDIAL & WTTC, 2021)
Prepared for the World Travel & Tourism Council by ANIMONDIAL, this report explains the nature and scale of the international wildlife trade, how it can undermine Travel & Tourism, and how the sector can still unknowingly encourage and facilitate it.
Adventure Travel Guide Standard
(ATTA, 2021)
A tool designed principally for adventure travel guides to measure their own competencies and identify strengths and weaknesses, the Standard considers five key areas of competency, of which one is Sustainability.
The Elephant Tourism Business; The paradox of elephant-friendly tourism (chapter)
(Daniel Turner & Naut Kusters, CABI, 2020)
Available to purchase from CABI Digital Library, this chapter considers the ethical and welfare challenges posed by traditional elephant tourism practices and presents an alternative, more elephant-friendly approach.
ABTA Animal Welfare Guidelines
(ABTA, 2013 / 2019)
Widely considered one of the most comprehensive and authoritative sets of tourism sector guidance on this subject, the original version was co-authored by Daniel Turner, who also contributed to the 2019 revised edition.
WHO WE WORK WITH
ANIMONDIAL has provided unrivaled, tailored support for Travel & Tourism businesses, trade associations and other organisations, that include:
ABTA, AITO, ATTA, Adventure Connection, Audley Travel, British Airways Holidays, CASS Business School, Collette Travel, DER Touristik Group, DISCOVA, Etihad Airways, Evaneos, EXO Travel, Experience Travel Group, Explore Worldwide, Global Spirit, GoVacation Thailand, GSTC, Hotel Plan Group, Intertek Cristal & Checkpoint, IUCN World Commission for Protection Areas (WCPA – TAPAS), Kontiki Reisen, Kuoni, LATA, Manchester Metropolitan University, MSC Cruises, Nomadic, PATA, Preverisk Group, Rickshaw Travel, SAGA Holidays, SGS Auditing Services, STA Travel, Thomas Cook Group, Tourism Cares, Travel Counsellors, Travel Nation, Travelife for Tour Operators, TourByLocals, TUI Group, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WSHA), World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), UN World Tourism Organisation, University of Surrey, & Wildlife Experience Group… and more.
We use our expertise to guide, support and accelerate businesses through the complexities of sustainable and responsible tourism. We help our clients to assess their interactions with nature, manage business-risk, build community-led partnerships, ensure business resilience, and regenerate destinations. Our team has been advising tourism businesses for over two decades, applying its extensive expertise to turn sustainability goals into robust strategy and meaningful action.
Combining experience in developing and delivering ground-breaking initiatives, policy commitments, impact assessment, science-based guidance and professional trainings, ANIMONDIAL can support any business to meet its sustainability and nature positive goals, and environmental reporting needs. Our NATOUR IMPACT tool enables tourism businesses to assess their nature-related risks and opportunities to provide a robust foundation for environmental action.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Reconnect with nature
Reconnect with nature – c. South Africa Tourism
Increasing the opportunity for travellers (and travel professionals) to understand, appreciate, and respect nature as a lifeline for wellbeing, prosperity, and survival. Mainstreaming biodiversity in business decision making and promoting a sustainable and responsible enjoyment of nature for everyone.
Protect threatened species
Example of poor welfare – c. Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals
Preventing the killing, wild-capture, illegal trade and sale of animal and plant species, in particular those categorised as threatened with extinction. Seeking an animal-friendly, sustainable approach to involving animals in tourism practices.
Safeguard individual welfare
Poor animal interaction c. Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals
Ensuring animals involved in holiday offerings/excursions have a life worth living. Recognising that a respect for life on Earth starts with understanding and safeguarding every being’s individual and species-specific welfare needs.
Overcome industry challenges
Poor practice elephant interaction c. ANIMONDIAL
Working with stakeholders to create alternatives to delisting low-welfare animal activities by harnessing tourism’s influence to improve standards and deliver safeguards. Advocating for supplier engagement and identifying responsible alternative experiences that enhance the business brand and underpin a healthy natural environment.
Invest in nature
Whale Heritage Areas – Dana Point c. Matt Stumpf