Faroese hunts cause tour operators to rethink trips to the country
The continuing brutal pilot whale hunts in the Faroes have reportedly prompted German shipping giant Hapag Lloyd, which operates luxury cruises that dock in the Faroe Islands, to issue an open letter to the country’s prime minister, Kaj Leo Johannesen, calling for an end to the controversial slaughter.
In the letter, the company’s chief executive, Karl J Pojer wrote: “We protect what fascinates us — that is why our company and our guests have a strong wish to stop the whaling on the Faroe Islands and to create a dialogue with you.”
Recently, cruise line, AIDA issued a similar letter to the Faroese government. The withdrawal from the Faroes by tour operators of this size would have a very damaging effect on the Faroese economy and could force and end to the hunts.