Camels used in tourist rides and traditional transport across North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia often face overloading, inadequate water access, and poor veterinary care.
Working camels in tourism and transport contexts face welfare challenges that are often invisible beneath their cultural significance and apparent resilience. Their tolerance of harsh conditions has been misread as absence of suffering — but camels overloaded in heat, denied adequate water, and worked through back injuries caused by poorly fitted saddles experience real pain and distress. Welfare improvements in camel tourism — weight limits, regular veterinary inspection, adequate rest and water — are achievable and improve animal longevity and productivity.