Animals are used in tourism in many ways. Some uses are more benign such as ecotourism (e.g., viewing elephants in natural settings), while others induce significant levels of suffering, pain and distress with the denial of dignity and respect (e.g., elephants performing at a circus). What is missing is a comprehensive overview of how just these uses may or may not be. Justice, as a concept, is complex and controversial—even more so when applied to animals. In this paper, we propose a “scales of justice” framework for animals used in tourism (deep, intermediate, shallow, and no justice) based on two different normative ethics models. The first model is based on the conventional normative ethical domain that includes deontology and consequentialism (i.e., what we are told to do), while the second model is rooted in virtue ethics (i.e., what we ought to do as individuals). The intent is to “weigh” the just and unjust use of animals in the tourism industry based on these contrasting theoretical perspectives. Elephants are used as an example through the paper. We view this approach as a springboard for more intensive investigations on how animals are used in tourism in a variety of contexts.

In the spring of 2010, approximately two months after the conclusion of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (Winter Olympics) held in British Columbia, Canada, approximately 100 sled dogs were culled in what the media quickly dubbed a ‘massacre’. A sled dog tour company had overestimated the tourism draw and demand of the Winter Olympics and was consequently ‘over-stocked’ with sled dogs. This paper takes a case study approach to examine the sled dog culling through the ethical lenses of utilitarianism, rights and ecofeminist theory. The application of these three perspectives provides evidence that the behaviour of both the sled dog tour company and the employee who carried out the killings was morally wrong. The implications of this case study are far reaching; the tourism industry can no longer afford to ignore the ethical elements that relate to the industry's use and, frequently, abuse of non-human animals. The recent interest by tourism scholars in the ethical aspects of the industry's use of non-human animals is timely. This under-researched topic of study will benefit from more scholarly interest and study, particularly as it relates to the effectiveness of codes of ethics and conduct, corporate social responsibility programmes, and the practicality and value of incorporating ethical education and training into these various programmes.

Many organizations are positioning themselves as part of the sharing economy due to positive connotations associated with the sharing concept. Recognizing that many of these organizations represent the sharing economy to varying degrees, this study selected two organizations – Airbnb and Fairbnb, to analyze the extent to which they serve as examples of the sharing economy. A content analysis was undertaken to identify the position of each organization on a continuum, ranging from pure sharing to pure exchange characteristics. The analysis reveals that overall Fairbnb may be a stronger example of the sharing economy than Airbnb.

(2019). Promoting sustainable tourism in rural and natural areas through small business innovation: the case of Atenor village (Northeast, Portugal). Journal of Ecotourism. Ahead of Print.