Pet-Friendly Accommodation

Before you discount offering pet-friendly accommodation, did you know that one in three people will choose to stay home with their pet rather than put them in a kennel?

• Approximately 62% of Australians own a dog which equates to 5.7 million households.

• How many of your competitor hotels accommodate dogs? Could you be the one in your location serving a niche market?

• Can you safely accommodate dogs, do you have a guest room that has a courtyard attached?

• An overnight stay in a kennel costs around $50 per day or $350 for a week. Will this added cost be putting off potential customers?

• What dog friendly facilities are in your local area?

• Do you know a dog walker/groomer/doggie day care in your local area that you could team up with?

So, before you discount this idea straight away, do some research and see what your competitors and other hotels throughout the country are offering; and if you can offer something different, you are opening yourself up to a new market that has excellent potential. It is very hard to stand out in a crowded market so offering something different can be a way to capture new audiences.

You can of course put terms and conditions on pet-friendly stays:

• No pets over 20kg.

• Must be supervised and on a leash at all times.

• Specific rooms with courtyards.

• Phone direct bookings only.

So, before you say no, take the time to consider if you can manage this carefully and capture a new market.