Marriott has taken a monumental step for the welfare of animals by removing all tours and activities featuring camels and horses forced to carry visitors in the blistering heat at the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Following communications with PETA that included video footage of dying camels, beaten horses, and underfed animals, Marriott has acknowledged that such offerings violate its animal welfare standards.
PETA Asia’s latest investigation into the historic site documented handlers violently beating exhausted horses and camels who are used to haul tourists in the blistering heat and without shade. Injured and malnourished horses were seen eating from garbage dumps, and the bodies of dead horses were found discarded every day at trash sites outside the Giza pyramids. Camels considered too old, sick, or injured to be useful were often hauled to a slaughterhouse, where their throats were slit while they were still conscious. One camel on video can be seen continuing to kick for agonizing minutes after her throat has been cut.
“PETA thanks the growing list of companies that recognize that travelers are appalled by the violence inflicted on camels and horses at the Great Pyramids,” said PETA’s Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA applauds Marriott for shunning these shameful rides and urges Egyptian authorities to find a moral compass and ban the blight of animal abuse at the pyramids.”
Horses thrive in social groups and may experience stress when isolated, as their natural inclination is to live within a herd. They also mourn the loss of a companion. On the other hand, camels display unique social behaviors by greeting each other with gentle breaths blown onto one another’s faces.
Marriott has joined a coalition of over 50 companies that have pledged not to promote or sell animal rides at the pyramids. This list also includes prominent businesses such as Airbnb, Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, British Airways Holidays, easyJet holidays, Exodus Adventure Travels, Grand Circle Corporation, Scott Dunn, and TCS World Travel.
