Bullfighting is not a "cultural highlight" 18 July 2007 Rough Guides has been asked to stop describing bullfighting as a "cultural highlight" in one of its travel guides to Spain. The blood sport is also being publicised in the company's guides to France, Mexico and Portugal. In a letter to its editorial department, ICABS stated: "Most of the curious tourists who visit bullrings come away feeling disgusted and upset at what they see - witnessing a bull stumbling around a bullring with blood spurting from its body and spraying from its nostrils and mouth is certain to cast a dark shadow across holiday memories. We hope you can agree, therefore, that it is inappropriate for Rough Guides to suggest bullfighting as a holiday activity." "We are appealing to your sense of compassion, in this your 25th anniversary year, to stop including positive information about bullfighting in your guides," we added. Please take a look at the table below and respond to our Rough Guides action alert. Bullfighting references in Rough Guides books Bullfighting [is] one of its cultural highlights The Rough Guide to Spain There is some opposition to the activity from animal welfare groups, but it is not widespread The Rough Guide to Spain Link to bullfighting website which contains "a complete guide to bullfighting with exhaustive links" The Rough Guide to Spain If you feel the need to take in a bullfight, head to the Plaza de Toros The Rough Guide to Mexico there is no event more quintessentially Mexican than the bullfight The Rough Guide to Mexico it is worth attending a corrida de toros to see this integral part of the Mexican experience The Rough Guide to Mexico If you happen to be in town on July 14 and 15, you can take in a Spanish-style bullfight; there's also a bullfighting festival during August The Rough Guide to France Following the festival there are three or four more days of bullfighting beginning on August 15. The Rough Guide to France there are bullfights and a Pamplona-style running of the bulls through the streets – leading to the usual casualties among the bold (and drunk) The Rough Guide to Portugal Sortelha's major event is a bullfight The Rough Guide to Portugal If you want to see a fight, it's best to witness it here, amid the local aficionados The Rough Guide to Portugal Photo: Bullfighting Holiday from hell. A bull bleeding from its mouth and body moments before being killed with a sword. Bullrings like this survive thanks to the support of curious tourists who are often unaware of the brutality awaiting them. Among the countries which allow bullfighting are Spain, Portugal, France, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. (Photo: ADDA) ACTION ALERT The Chief Editor Rough Guides Ltd 80 Strand London WC2R 0RL England Email: from Rough Guides website form Tel: 020 7010 3000 (London) Tel: 212 414 3635 (New York) Sample Letter (Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.) To whom it concerns: I am writing to appeal to Rough Guides to stop giving positive publicity to bullfighting in your travel guides. Instead of presenting this horrific activity as a "cultural highlight", please show compassion for the animals abused and give strongly worded warnings to readers about the disturbing nature of bullfighting. Thank you for considering my appeal. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Yours faithfully, Name/Location Bullfighting: More information Action Alerts | Leaflet | Photos | Videos | Petition | Links News Menu | Join | Top | Home