Why Pet-Friendly Hotels are Winning Over New Customers
The hotel industry is experiencing a boom in pet-friendly hotels. It’s a feature that hotel chains and small hotels alike are offering to travelers. If you’re a hotelier, you may consider making your property pet-friendly to attract new customers. Why? These unique hotels are quickly winning over new customers. Here’s how.
Why should hoteliers care about pet hospitality?
People spend billions on their pets each year, as 2016 saw the pet industry hit $66 billion in 2016, and as travelers look for accommodations, they’re increasingly seeking out pet-friendly hotels. Simply offering pet-friendly stays can convince a traveler to book a room at a property, but many hotels are going the extra mile to make sure their furriest travelers are comfortable. Pet-friendly amenities offered at hotels include food dishes, water bowls, outdoor play areas, and dog runs.
How do pet-friendly hotels work?
Pet-friendly amenities offered at hotels include food dishes, water bowls, outdoor play areas, and dog runs. Even more hotels are offering doggie cuisine, with room service menus especially tailored to dog’s palettes — these features will also make it more likely that your guests will order room service or dine-in because their pet can also have a delicious meal by their side.
What benefits can pet-friendly hotels enjoy?
While there are multiple benefits for pet owners to visit a pet-friendly hotel, there’s also plenty of benefits for the hotel as well.
First, you may charge a pet fee for guests. And depending on the amenities you offer, your standard room may go for a more premium price, particularly if you decide to offer pet cuisine. Guests may choose to book the hotel on your website, and then opt to select amenities at online checkout. Offering a pet-friendly amenities lets you stand out from your competitors. Best of all, it can also help you stay booked year-round, even after your area’s tourism season ends.
Another benefit for hoteliers offering accommodations that welcome pets is that it inspires brand loyalty. If a customer knows they and their pet will be well-received at your property, it increases the likelihood they’ll book again with you. Traveling with pets can involve plenty of extra packing, since guests will need to remember dog beds, dishes, toys, etc. But if you’re helping with this task and meeting their needs, your customers will appreciate your efforts.
They may even keep you in mind for their next getaway if you throw in a free dog leash, treat container, or bandanna with your hotel’s name on it for good brand recognition.
It’s all about the experience
Bottom line, having a pet-friendly hotel is all about creating a great experience for your guest. A pet-friendly hotel inspires pet owners to tell the pet community about their stay and generate referrals. Multiple travel websites such as PetsWelcome, BringFido, Expedia, and Tripadvisor display listings of hotels where pets are welcome.
Having your hotel recognized as a good place for pets will inspire pet owners to share their experience with friends, family, and online review sites. After all, pets are family, and we want them to have the very best money can buy.
If your hotel is pet-friendly, be sure your customers know this by displaying pet-centric information and your policy prominently on your website.
Up next, discover other budget-friendly perks and rewards for groups that your hotel can offer to drive more business.
Or find out how you can improve your hotel website to capture more planner leads using Social Tables Event Sales Solution.
Are you pro or con pet? 🶠Let us know why your property is (or isn’t) a pet-friendly hotel on Twitter and tag your favorite pet-friendly hotels.
