We have the power to contribute to a better world through sustainable travel and responsible tourism.
Every traveler has the opportunity to bring a positive impact to the destinations they visit and the people they meet. Responsible tourism can protect the world’s cultural heritage. It can also create opportunities and support livelihoods in local communities.
At Klook, we are committed to contributing to responsible tourism and benefiting local communities. We are excited to build more partnerships and work with sustainable partners to create a positive impact in their communities.
Deeply embedded in Southeast Asian culture, history, heritage and religion, elephant tourism experiences (such as visits to elephant camps) are crucial to the livelihoods of many communities across the region. Elephant camps employ staff from the local area, they support local farmers who grow food and supply organic fodder for the elephants, and many offer English lessons and educational support to staff and their families.
The increase in tourism in Southeast Asia has fuelled a demand for elephant tourism experiences across the region. However, this has led to some concerns about the treatment of elephants in captivity, their keepers, and the local community. It is often difficult for customers to assess welfare practices at these venues.
As part of Klook's commitment to providing sustainable tourism experiences, we have developed our Elephant Camp Assessment in consultation with Asian Captive Elephant Standards (ACES), experts in the field of captive elephant welfare. We believe that by making assessments and providing guidance on good welfare practices, we can help to improve the lives of both people and elephants. Elephant experiences that successfully pass our assessment are featured with the "Klook Assessed" badge.
Asian Captive Elephant Standards (ACES) is an independent link between the tourism industry and captive elephant welfare.
ACES works closely with international specialists in elephant management, veterinary care and animal welfare, and have developed a set of benchmarks as the foundation for their assessments and audits of elephant camps, whilst also meeting the needs of the community and tourism stakeholders.
Klook's Elephant Camp Assessment is based on ACES’ strict benchmarks, and uses ACES' network of expert auditors for the assessments.
Klook’s Elephant Camp Assessment is a voluntary, one-day onsite assessment. The assessment is conducted by experienced ACES auditors.
The assessment covers 10 different categories including all important areas of camp management and welfare, e.g. visitor experience, safety, elephant welfare, employee conditions, and community relations. It is designed to be accessible to all camps and sanctuaries that are home to captive elephants and offer visitor experiences. It aims to provide guidance on long-term and sustainable improvements, and is valid for a year.
After the assessment, the elephant camp or sanctuary receives a score and a performance dashboard, which includes any areas of improvement. Upon passing the assessment, it will receive a "Klook Assessed" badge on its listing. This badge lets Klook customers know that they are supporting elephant experiences that have passed the assessment and hence contributing to elephants and community welfare.
Ready to book your elephant experience on Klook?
Support high welfare elephant experiences and local communities. Book a Klook Assessed elephant experience today!