Airbnb Joins Travel Companies in Banning Camel Rides at the Pyramids

Airbnb is making waves again, this time by cutting ties with one of Egypt’s most controversial tourist attractions. The vacation rental giant has officially stopped promoting and selling tours that include camel and horse rides at the Giza pyramid complex, a move hailed by Animal rights activists. According to a statement from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), five other North American travel companies—Black Tomato, Shore Excursions Group, ToursByLocals, Under30Experiences, and World Travel Holdings—have also taken a stand against the exploitative practice.

This isn’t Airbnb’s first move towards ethical tourism. Back in 2019, the company introduced policy guidelines for its Animal Experiences, prohibiting direct contact with wild animals and banning interactions with elephants, big cats, and marine mammals in captivity. Now, its latest decision comes in response to a PETA Asia investigation exposing the brutal reality behind Giza’s camel and horse rides. The investigation documented handlers violently beating overworked animals, horses scouring garbage dumps for food, and the tragic fate of camels deemed too old or weak—sold off to slaughterhouses where they endured slow and agonizing deaths.

The decision aligns with Airbnb’s ongoing commitment to responsible tourism, further solidified by a $100,000 donation to PETA’s campaigns against wildlife exploitation. Tracy Reiman, Executive Vice President of PETA, praised the move, calling it a win for animal welfare and a clear message to the travel industry that cruelty for entertainment is no longer acceptable.

If you’re planning a trip to Egypt, consider ethical alternatives that don’t rely on animal exploitation. Walking tours and guided cultural experiences offer a cruelty-free way to explore the ancient wonders of Giza. Let’s keep tourism kind and sustainable—because no vacation should come at the expense of an animal’s suffering.

Video Source: PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)/Youtube

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