Traveling with pet new fad in town

By Kang Seung-woo

An owner of a Chihuahua, who wants to be identified only as Kwon, is busy nowadays searching for accommodation for an upcoming family trip.

However, unlike a few years ago when her family first traveled with their dog, she is finding planning the vacation far easier as there are a growing number of facilities ― even some hotels ― that are welcoming “canine guests.”

“There are a lot of pet-friendly facilities now, and because having a pet is so common nowadays, more hotels allow people's animal companions to join them on their travels,” she said.

As Kwon's case shows, the rapid growth of the local pet population is making the domestic lodging and travel industries more pet-friendly.

According to accommodation booking app Good Choice, Tuesday, there are more than 700 properties accepting pets across the country.

The app added the number is a sharp increase compared with 70 in 2016.

By type, vacation houses accounted for 81.5 percent, followed by guesthouses at 9.5 percent, glamping (luxury camping) sites at 5 percent and hotels, 4 percent.

Another survey by travel booking site Expedia that interviewed 300 people in their 20s and 30s found that 56.7 percent of them had traveled with their pets and 66.4 percent of those who had such an experiences said they would miss their pets if they did not bring them along.

“More facilities for pet owners such as pool villas and swimming pools are coming, so now I think we have a better environment to travel with pets,” said Kang Soo-yeon, who has a dog.

“Now we even have pet taxis, allowing us to travel more easily.”

With the addition of pet travel, the local industry is forecast to be valued at 6 trillion won ($5.1 billion) by 2027, according to a 2018 report by KB Financial Group.

Given the situation, some local hotels are quickly stepping up efforts to become pet-friendly properties, filling their rooms with various amenities for pets such as bedding, towels and treats as well as toys and dog poo bags.

“We offer the entire 14 rooms on the ninth floor as pet rooms,” an official of the Seoul-based L'Escape Hotel said, adding it also runs a Pet Zone allowing owners and pets to dine together.

The Grand Mercure Ambassador Seoul Yongsan and the Sheraton Seoul Palace Gangnam are also offering pet-friendly accommodation and amenities.

The local travel industry is also focused on catering to travelers with pets. Mode Tour launched a package program earlier this month that features a ferry trip from Wando, South Jeolla Province, to Jeju Island and pet-friendly services involving vacation houses, cafeterias and rental cars.

“We are receiving positive responses from customers. With the increasing consumer power of pet owners, more pet-focused tour programs are expected to come,” a Mode Tour official said.

Korean Air operates its SkyPets program for those who register their pets on the website. Those passengers can collect stamps each time they travel with their pet, which can be used to receive free or discounted travel with their pets later.

Asiana Airlines has also increased its weight limit for pets that can be brought into the cabin from 5 kilograms to 7 kilograms last year.