Abby Jade Sarfas
Which travel companies are being transparent about their cage-free egg commitments—and which aren’t? The Open Wing Alliance’s 2024 Global Travel Report identifies “early birds” and “bad eggs” in the travel sector.
“From air travel to cruise lines to international hotel chains, there’s a growing trend among global travelers: the preference for sustainable, ethical, animal-friendly travel,” states the latest report from the Open Wing Alliance (OWA). “That trend is here to stay—offering industry leaders a chance to innovate and adapt, or risk falling behind.”
According to the 2024 edition of the OWA’s Global Travel Report, transitioning to cage-free eggs isn’t just an opportunity to do better for animals. It also presents an important opportunity for companies to adapt to the evolving needs of their customers.
“Today’s tourists are seeking out more ethical travel experiences, and part of that includes expecting a higher standard of animal welfare,” says Hannah Surowinski, Global Corporate Relations Manager, Open Wing Alliance. “Many companies have cage-free commitments these days, and customers want to know that companies are actually following through and making tangible changes for animals.”
The highly anticipated 2024 Global Travel Report is the latest in a series of reports published by the Open Wing Alliance, a global coalition of ~100 organizations across 70 countries in six continents. It ranks global travel and hospitality companies on the status of their cage-free egg transitions, pushing for greater transparency and accountability across the sector.
What is the Global Travel Report?
Published annually by the Open Wing Alliance, the Global Travel Report offers a deep dive into the cage-free commitments—and publicly reported progress—that corporations have made throughout the global travel and hospitality industry. Several companies, including Starhotels, Dorchester Collection, Motel One, and jetBlue, are successfully reporting progress towards their goals. The report quotes Ann-Katrin Moitje, Purchasing Manager at Motel One, who says:
"Motel One is excited to partner with The Humane League on improving animal welfare. Across the group, we are proud to source 100 percent cage-free eggs, free-range at a minimum, for all of our products. In Germany, Austria, France and the Netherlands our eggs are 100% organic. We believe this is a crucial step towards a sustainable and ethical supply chain.”
The report also exposes the companies that aren’t being transparent, holding them accountable to their stakeholders and customers. The 2024 Report lists Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and Millennium & Copthorne Hotels among brands that are not following through on their promises.
Why cage-free?
In caged systems, which are widespread on factory farms around the globe, as many as ten chickens can be squeezed into a single cage. Each animal has a space approximately the size of an A4 sheet of paper on which to live her entire life. Not only do cages suppress natural instincts to perch, nest, and dust-bathe—causing acute psychological distress—they don’t even allow hens to spread their wings.
Cage-free systems address these welfare concerns, allowing hens to walk on solid flooring and freely move around. As the report notes, “eliminating cages from their supply chains will benefit companies in countless ways—but above all, ending cages is simply the right thing to do."
How can I help?
By pressuring the world’s most powerful companies to do better for chickens, people like you are already transforming the landscape of the egg industry. Together, our movement has already changed the lives of millions of hens. Will you join thousands of activists around the world in demanding that corporations do better for animals?
