How to equip your accommodation for dogs

A growing number of travellers don't want to travel without their four-legged friend. They therefore look for animal-friendly accommodations that also promise a relaxing time for their dog. So what is it that defines pet-friendly credentials for a hotel? We can show you how to make your accommodation a welcome home for holidaymakers with pets.

Let’s start by explaining how hoteliers can benefit from providing dog-friendly accommodations.

Some 67% of Germans have already been on vacation with their four-legged friend. As a look at Google Trends shows, there is increasing demand for hotels that also welcome dogs. If you open your accommodation to animal guests, you gain two big advantages. Firstly, you generate additional revenue. You can, for example, levy a charge for dogs, or you can price rooms for dog owners at a higher rate. You can also ask for a deposit to cover possible damages, and could offer a dog-sitting or even a dog-walking service.

Secondly, you tap into a new and extremely loyal target group and this helps to increase brand loyalty. If guests know that they and their pet are in good hands in your accommodation, there is a good chance that they will come to stay with you again. Likewise, word will spread quickly in the dog community. 

You can become a pet-friendly hotel in 3 steps.

1.           Define a policy for pets

As a hotelier, it is up to you to establish certain guidelines for people who also bring their dogs to stay. You can draw on the following examples for inspiration:

• Only allow a certain number of dogs per room or per guest;
• Your hotel requires dogs to have been vaccinated;
• Guests have to pay an additional fee for each dog; 
• Guests must not leave their dogs in their rooms without supervision;
• Certain kinds of dogs must wear a muzzle;
• Dogs are required to do their business only in defined areas;
• Guests must always clean up the mess left by their dogs.

In addition, you should also consider the following aspects:

Are your rooms spacious enough to accommodate larger breeds of dog? You don't want your guests arriving with an Alsatian when there is only sufficient space for a Chihuahua. Inform your guests in advance of any restrictions on size or breed of dog. Alternatively, you could ask them to provide information at the booking stage on the size and number of dogs. This helps you to prevent misunderstandings and you simplify your own planning.

Are there areas in your accommodation where dogs are not allowed (for example, by the pool or in the bar area)? If so, you should display clearly visible notices on your premises and refer to these on your hotel website. This also applies to any areas where dogs must be kept on a lead.

2. Equip your accommodation with canine accessories.

It is important to dog owners that their pets also receive good treatment. As soon as you walk into a hotel, you should have the feeling that dogs are welcome too. To create that kind of relaxed atmosphere, you should provide basic canine accessories such as:

• Food and water dishes
• Dog beds
• Poop bags 
• Bags of treats
• Towels
• Dog toys

Your hotel can also offer some premium services such as day care, for owners who may wish to go out without their dog. A dog walking service is also useful to give your guests some free time while you keep their pets occupied. Or how about a grooming session at the dog salon?

3. Inform your guests about the dog-friendly activities in your local area.

No matter how suitably you arrange your accommodation, those four-legged friends are not going to want to spend the whole day in the hotel. You should therefore recommend places and activities to your guests that are suitable for an excursion with a dog. Those options may include:

• Parks in which dogs are not required to wear leads;
• Hiking trails;
• Beaches on which dogs are allowed;
• Restaurants and cafés with outdoor terraces that welcome guests with dogs.

Ensure that you have brochures containing relevant information in the reception area so that they are easy for pet owners to find.

Tip: use the free advertising material from HolidayCheck in your accommodation. The choice includes evaluation cards as well as attractive print templates for displays at the reception. In addition, we can post you some free stickers for your entrance door and reception area.

How to market your accommodation to dog owners 

First of all, you should advertise your new services for dogs on your website and in social media.

Also create a profile on HolidayCheck, as HolidayCheck is the largest travel review portal in the German-speaking world. Having your own profile on the platform increases the chances of being discovered and booked by your target group. You already have an account? Then log in directly.

If you have a blog, you can also create targeted content for pet owners. For example, you can inform them about your dog-friendly services or give them tips on what to consider when travelling with dogs.

Do you need more tips on marketing? Then take a look at HolidayCheck's various advertising options:

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