March 29, 2011 (Powerhomebiz.com) Tourists travel to the far reaches of the earth to ride, pet, interact with, and watch exotic animals perform. What tourists often don’t realize, or care to investigate, is how these animals are trained or what their lives are like when not performing. Tourists are usually unaware of the horrific and systematic abuse often used to manifest the docile and obedient behaviors that wow a crowd of paying spectators. The continued ignorance of tourists is what allows these practices to continue and thrive.
After visiting Thailand to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary during her honeymoon, Elizabeth Longacre, an attorney at a corporate law firm at the time, was so overwhelmed by what she learned about elephants in tourism that she was inspired to take action. Shortly after that trip, the global financial crisis brought an end to her corporate law firm life and created the opportunity to establish Your Time Travels (YTT), a travel company for animal lovers. At YTT only activities that truly benefit and give back to animals are promoted.
Throughout Asia elephants are ‘broken’ through a ritual involving horrifying cruelties. In Thailand, where elephants are a national figure of respect and wonder and a primary source of tourist income, the process of breaking, called the ‘Pijan,’ is a standard cultural practice. “It broke my heart to learn what’s done to these intelligent and beautiful animals in the name of tourism,” said Longacre, founder of YTT. “It seems to run counter to all of their sacred beliefs about elephants, and yet it’s such an ingrained part of their culture that it’s difficult to imagine it ending. Tourists need to educate themselves and use their tourist dollars to support responsible activities.”
Your Time Travels was founded to provide customers with animal friendly vacations. Customers can volunteer with animal welfare projects, observe animals in their natural habitats, or bring their own animal companions on an adventure. YTT uses local guides to organically support the economy and searches out vegan fair if desired. YTT also publishes a blog to speak out on the relevant topics that surround animal welfare, voluntourism, and personal and social consciousness and wellbeing.
http://www.yourtimetravels.com
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