Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Discriminating Pet Travelers: Poll Reveals their Preferences and Habits

There are more pets than people in the U.S. In
fact, Americans own more pets than ever before.
Approximately 62% of American households now own
a pet, which is the highest level in recorded
history. Approximately 78% of them are hitting
the road and skies each year with their furry
friends. This growing market has made itself
known and the travel industry has responded as
more and more accommodations across the U.S. are
rolling out the red carpet for these traveling
pets. To better understand the demands and
habits of this booming market, an online survey
of pet travelers was conducted and the results
are in!

When it comes to planning pet travel online, over
89% of the 2,012 pet travelers polled indicated
that they do indeed go online and browse the
websites of pet friendly accommodations.
However, only 27% of respondents are comfortable
booking their pet friendly accommodations online.
Instead, most respondents prefer to call to book
their room so that they can alert the lodging
that they are traveling with their pet. Even
given the growing number of pet friendly
accommodations, you may be surprised to find that
34% of respondents have at some point snuck their
pet into accommodations during their travels.
Aside from the lodging not being pet friendly,
other reasons for the sneak-ins include; their
pet was too big, the accommodation did not accept
their type of pet, cost was too much extra for
their pet.

Not all pet friendly accommodations are created
equal and pet travelers are well aware of this.
A whopping 86% of respondents reported that they
actually compare pet amenities offered by
accommodations when selecting where to stay. On
the top of the list of preferred amenities is pet
sitting services. Although most accommodations
don't offer these services themselves, they do
provide guests with a directory of local pet
sitters that will come to the lodging room to
watch pet guests while their humans step out.
Other preferred pet amenities that are at the top
of discriminating pet travelers lists include;
clean-up bags (23%) pet recreation listings
(11%), in-room feed bowls (7%), and pet walking
services (7%). It appears that pet travelers are
willing to pay for these special amenities. Over
90% of respondents would pay extra to accommodate
their animal companions with most willing to pay
up to $50 per night and some actually willing to
pay over $50 extra per night for their pets.

It is apparent that people love to vacation with
their pets and care a great deal about
accommodating them. Eighty-eight percent of
respondents have stayed at a pet friendly
accommodation at least once in the past 2 years.
And pet travelers aren't afraid to venture far
from home. Over 66% travel anywhere from 50 to
500 miles from home.

America's love affair with their pets is evident
in their habits and preferences when it comes to
traveling with their furry and four-legged
companions. Their mounting numbers and financial
muscle is destined to continue to raise the bar
when it comes to pet travel.

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Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of
TRIPSwithPETS.com. She founded the pet travel
site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet
travel. Kim is a veteran of the travel industry -
formerly serving as Director of Internet
Marketing for Certified Vacations. Her mission is
to ensure that pets are welcome, happy,and safe
in their travels. Visit her company website at
http://www.tripswithpets.com

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