Animal welfare

The Nordic wildlife is an integral part of what we all find so fascinating about the North: puffins sail alongside us during our coastal hike, from the ship we watch whales breaching the surface of the water with their gigantic backs, through binoculars we observe polar bears plodding in the distance, sled dogs race with us through high snow and dense forests, Icelandic horses carry us through the vast landscape. To ensure that we can continue to share such unforgettable experiences with you, it is important to Kontiki that all encounters with animals on our trips are always respectful, species-appropriate and with animal welfare in mind. We are convinced that longer and more intensive encounters are possible if the animals feel comfortable. That is why we are committed to responsible travel and animal welfare in the north.

As part of our KONTIKI2030 sustainability commitment, the year 2023 was all about animal welfare. Together with our local partners, we want to ensure that animal welfare is firmly anchored throughout the North and that we set high animal welfare standards. Our promise is that by 2030, all our providers will meet Kontiki’s animal welfare requirements, which are based on internationally recognised standards. To achieve this, we are in close dialogue with our partners in the destinations as well as international animal welfare experts. Together, we are reviewing Kontiki’s travel portfolio, expanding our animal welfare policy, recognising tour operators with a particularly high level of commitment, strengthening our communication on the topic and raising awareness among customers and partners. We look forward to sharing our milestones with you on this page.

What you can do

As part of the DERTOUR Group, we comply with the Group’s own animal welfare policy, which was developed in 2019 in consultation with animal welfare experts. Since then, we have supported its implementation and continuous improvement. The criteria and standards are based on the ones set by the British travel association ABTA and were adapted for the entire DERTour Group in collaboration with Animondial.

In addition, Kontiki implements specific projects and guidelines for animals that are particularly affected by tourism in the North:

Tourism can play an important role in protecting and preserving our fauna. To achieve this, it is necessary that we always place the welfare of the animals first. Here are a few tips on what you can do:

• Follow the recommendations of The Wild North if you encounter animals in the wild. You can find a summary here.
• Choose animal activities with providers who supply information about their commitment to animal welfare.
• Only book whale watching with providers who adhere to the official IceWhale or Visit Tromsø Code of Conduct. All Kontiki partners are committed to this.
• If you visit a farm – whether it’s a riding stable, husky kennel or reindeer farm – wait for your guide’s instructions before approaching the animals.
• Be aware of your choice of souvenirs and food. For example, refrain from eating whale meat.
• Help protect animals by carefully questioning tourism activities involving animals. An animal thrives when it is healthy, safe, and well-fed. An animal enjoys good welfare when it is able to express natural behaviour and when it does not suffer from unpleasant feelings such as pain, fear and distress.

We are interested in your personal impressions and experiences. Kontiki is always endeavouring to continuously review and expand its animal welfare commitment. Unfortunately, we cannot be in all places at the same time. We therefore welcome your help and support. Do you see something that Kontiki and its partners are already doing very well in animal welfare, or do you notice something on your journey that raises questions? Share it with us via cr@STOP-SPAM.kontiki.ch.