Research Analysis: Understanding The Dog-Friendly Accommodation Demand

As the pet-friendly travel market expands , it becomes increasingly important that hotel owners and online travel agencies understand the unique needs of travelers with dogs. In our latest research analysis, we deep-dived into a study by Lori Hoy entitled "Dog-Friendly Accommodation: Specialty OTAs and Decision-Making ," which looked at the growing demand for dog-friendly accommodation and the factors influencing dog traveler choices.?

There is no better way to understand the needs of dog owners when they travel than reading published academic research studies on the subject. However, because some of these studies can be quite densely academic in their language, we would like to provide an analysis and summary of the research study, showcasing its key findings and insights, along with some practical recommendations for OTAs and hotel owners or operators.

It is a comprehensive study, and its authors explored key drivers such as human well-being beliefs, institutional trust, and risk attitudes. This provides valuable insights for enhancing your service offerings and building trust with this underserved market segment .?

Whether you're a hotel owner looking to attract more bookings or an OTA aiming to improve user experience, this study's findings offer actionable strategies to better serve travelers with dogs. You can dive into our full analysis below to learn how to capitalize on this growing trend and properly understand this fast-growing and lucrative market segment .

The Dog Friendly Accommodation Boom

The dog friendly travel market and the demand for dog-friendly accommodation is on the rise. The market was USD 1.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to achieve a market size of USD 4.5 billion by 2032 , growing at a CAGR of 9.5% from 2023 to 2032.

The market for dog-friendly accommodation is expanding rapidly, with bookings increasing by more than a third compared to the pre-pandemic period. This growth is fueled by the rising number of tourists traveling with their dogs and the development of sophisticated dog-friendly accommodations from innovative hotel brands.

Post-pandemic, more people are traveling with their dogs, and this segment represents a significant opportunity for growth. The dog-friendly accommodations market has experienced significant growth , driven by the increasing trend of pet humanization and the willingness of owners to invest in their dogs' comfort when traveling.?

Understanding The Challenges Of Traveling With A Dog

The study reveals that travelers with dogs face a number of challenges when they want to travel with their dogs, such as limited information, insufficient suitable accommodations, and unclear additional fees. Many travelers reported struggling to find comprehensive and reliable information about dog-friendly accommodations and their facilities.?

Its findings reveal that dog travelers reported a shortage of high-quality accommodations that are genuinely dog-friendly. Many properties claimed to be pet-friendly but offered limited facilities, charged high fees, or imposed strict restrictions, making them inconvenient.

The study shows that the hotel industry and OTAs consistently underserve the dog-owning traveler market segment without addressing their challenges; this is exactly why we created a dog-friendly standard and certification process for hotels ; something had to be done.

Emotional and Logical Influences Of Travelers With Dogs

?The study uses Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory (CEST) to explore how dog travelers make decisions. The key takeaway is that both emotional connections, such as the perceived well-being benefits of traveling with pets, and logical considerations, like trust in the OTA and risk attitudes, play critical roles in their decision making.

Travelers who believe that taking their dogs on trips enhances their well-being are more likely to have a positive attitude toward using specialty OTAs. Interestingly, the study's findings show that a traveler’s expertise in dog-friendly travel does not significantly influence their preference for using specialty OTAs.? This indicates that even seasoned travelers seek reliable information regardless of their experience level.

Building Trust With Travelers With Dogs

Institutional trust is a major factor influencing the perceived usefulness of specialty OTAs and the intention of travelers with dogs to use them. The study indicates trust can be built through clear, reliable information and transparent dog-friendly policies. OTAs should emphasize structural assurances like price match guarantees and transparent cancellation policies.

Risk-averse travelers find specialty OTAs particularly useful because they help reduce uncertainty. Providing comprehensive, clear, and detailed information about pet policies, dog-friendly amenities, and additional services can mitigate risk-averse travelers' concerns, further encouraging bookings. The study's findings indicate that a specialty OTA's perceived usefulness significantly impacts attitudes and usage intentions; a user-friendly, informative, and reliable platform can enhance its perceived value and build trust with dog guardians.

Practical Recommendations

The best advice we can give hotel owners is to ensure your listings are detailed and transparent about pet policies, fees, and amenities. This can attract more bookings from this growing market segment. Highlight features that cater to dog travelers, such as nearby walking areas, pet-friendly dining options, and dog-specific amenities.?

If you haven’t already, get your hotel dog-friendly certified by an independent third party like Ranked By Roch and The Roch Society , who can help you provide your guests with a clear picture of exactly what to expect before they book and rank your hotel regionally against your competitors, enabling you to stand out in a cluttered pet-friendly market.

You should also consider becoming a member of the Dog Friendly Hotel Association , for the same reason, it signals dog owners that you cater to their needs.

You can find the DFHA on Linkedin here: Dog Friendly Hotel Association

If you are an online travel agent, the research findings indicate that you should build and maintain trust through clear policies, quality information, and user-friendly interfaces aimed at dog owners. To resonate emotionally with dog owners, OTAs must emphasize the benefits of traveling with pets and the credibility of their information in their marketing efforts.?

Addressing this segment's unique needs can enhance dog owner satisfaction and drive more bookings over the long term. Understanding and catering to the needs of dog-friendly travelers can unlock new growth opportunities , and by implementing these insights and strategies, you can better serve this dedicated and growing market segment.