Gold Coast theme park: Sea World boss and Tourism Minister slam TripAdvisor ticket ban

A popular online travel website’s ban on ticket sales for a Gold Coast theme park has been branded “activism gone mad”.

A TRAVEL site’s ban on ticket sales for the Gold Coast’s Sea World theme park has been branded “activism gone mad”.

Theme park bosses and the state’s Tourism Minister have slammed the online travel platform, TripAdvisor, after it announced plans to dump ticket sales for all marine parks that keep dolphins, whales and other creatures in captivity.

Sea World chief operating officer Bikash Randhawa dismissed the ban, saying yesterday the park had few ticket sales through TripAdvisor.

Sea World boss Bikash Randhawa. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

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But he said the travel site’s announcement, understood to have been prompted by pressure from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), was a “slap” that ignored all the work done by the park and its staff in rescuing marine animals and birds.

“This is activism gone mad. It’s over the top. I think they are lost in the world of minorities who amplify their opinions on social media while the rest of the world is fully behind us,” Mr Randhawa said.

“This is a slap on all the good work we all do here. It is irresponsible and potentially jeopardising tourism.

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Sea World dolphin trainer Richelle Reading with Kiama. Picture: Tim Marsden

“I believe what has happened here is that they have put themselves in an embarrassing and difficult spot by painting us with the same brush as Third World country operators who mistreat animals.”

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The Bulletin approached TripAdvisor for comment but it had not responded by deadline last night.

PETA Australia has been crowing about the move, describing TripAdvisor’s stand as “a resounding victory for marine mammals and an unequivocal statement to companies that profit from their abuse’’.

Protesters at Sea World.

In a media release, the organisation said: “Let’s keep adding to the list and chipping away at the only thing marine parks care about: the bottom line.’’

Mr Randhawa yesterday wrote to TripAdvisor, urging the company to understand the park’s work with animals.

In the letter he said: “It is very disappointing to hear of your recent announcement regarding stopping selling tickets to Sea World Australia based on anecdotal facts and misinformation from ill-informed animal activist groups.

Sea World protesters Katie Hunter and Jordan Sosnowski. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“It’s also disappointing that we were not engaged by you to understand our position, nor were we informed of this announcement by any representative from TripAdvisor, despite our long and successful working relationship.”

TripAdvisor has hinted at exceptions for some marine parks, but it is understood Sea World does not meet the criteria to be eligible for an exemption.

The travel company is said to be still finetuning the policy, which is expected to come into effect by the end of the year.

State Tourism Minister Kate Jones slammed the ban.

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Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones. (AAP Image/Albert Perez)

“No one does more for the protection of marine animals on the Gold Coast than Sea World,” she said.

“Sea World on the Gold Coast should not be tarred with the same brush as unscrupulous operators overseas.

“The health and wellbeing of our marine life is crucial.

“This decision to cut ticket sales to Sea World Gold Coast could damage conservation efforts on the Coast and will affect a business that employs more than 1000 locals.”

Activists have disrupted Sea World operations previously, with protesters invading Sea World’s dolphin pool with placards last December.

Three theme parks — Sea World, Outback Spectacular and Dreamworld — were targeted four times by protesters, who claimed to be members of Justice for Captives.

At the time a spokesman for the group said it was unnatural to have wild animals in captivity.

Then in May about 40 people, who distanced themselves from Justice for Captives but claimed to represent three other animal rights groups, gathered opposite the theme park one Saturday urging Sea World to stop using animals for entertainment.

“This needs to be the last generation of dolphins in captivity. The Queensland Government has the ability to do that, they regulate the venue and they could turn around tomorrow and tell Sea World to stop breeding,” World Animal Protection’s Ben Pearson said.