First read is on us.

Subscribe today to keep up with the latest travel industry news.

Video: The Asian elephants driven close to extinction by the tourism industry


Skift Take

A somber look behind tourists' favorite pictures reveals the stressful, sometimes deadly, transportation of elephants from Burma to Thailand, and how little is being done to stop their extinction.

An illegal cross-border trade in endangered wild Asian elephants to serve Thailand's tourist industry is threatening the future of the species, an undercover investigation by the Ecologist Film Unit (EFU) has revealed.

A new film (below), produced by the EFU in association with Link TV and the NGO Elephant Family, has uncovered how at least 50-100 elephant calves and young female elephants are removed from their forest homes in Burma each year to be traded illegally to supply tourist camps situated in Thailand.

Up Next

Experiences

How Travel Brands Can Seize the ‘Q5’ Opportunity on TikTok

Driven by increased spending on experiences and the digital habits of younger audiences, TikTok has emerged as a key platform for inspiring and shaping travel decisions. Leveraging the platform’s reach early in the year presents a unique opportunity for travel brands to connect with eager travelers.
Sponsored
Hotels

Taj-Parent Indian Hotels Company Enters Ras Al Khaimah With Branded Residences

While IHCL is aiming to double its portfolio by 2030 and grow its international presence in markets that host Indian diaspora, Ras Al Khaimah's Al Marjan Island lifestyle destination is being developed as an emerging as a tourism center for the UAE. However, with big competitors like Movenpick and Hampton by Hilton resorts, IHCL has clearly tried to set itself apart by going the branded apartment route.