House pets: a niche market!

Clients traveling with their four-footed friends are often more sensitive to their companion’s welcome than their own comfort. Although the idea might inspire a smirk, it corresponds to a reality. And for a good reason: the market is as big as the appetite of a German mastiff. In the United States 62 million households have a dog, and among them 29 million don’t think twice about traveling with their furry friend. And the trend is growing: a recent study by the web site Trip Advisor interviewing 700 travelers that own animals shows that 56% of those who live in the United States, and 41% of those in Great Britain, bring their animal-friend along. More than 50% even affirm that they reserve rooms only in hotels that offer services dedicated to pets, and 37% say they are willing to pay more for that. This figure can rise above 50% for dog owners alone. The choice of destination is also largely determined by the facility of traveling in the company of a pet. A significant share of those surveyed (12%) even concede that they may even decide not to take a vacation because of their companion, making them potential clients who are just waiting to be convinced of the reception they will receive. More than anything, nearly half of them estimate that the hotel industry needs to make more efforts in this area...In order to meet demand, greater efforts are being made throughout the industry. The next stage: hotels entirely dedicated to our furry friends? They already exist, with, for example, Mazzu’s Canine & Feline Luxury Hotel in Philadelphia. This is not a palace where one stays with their furry friends, but where they are the guests, and receive spa treatments, and personnel are available to attend to their every need and...