KTO unveils guidelines to make Korea pet-friendly travel destination

Dogs swim in a makeshift swimming pool in Songpa District, Seoul, Aug. 17, at an event for pets and their owners to cool off amid a heat wave. Yonhap

As more Koreans consider their pets part of the family, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is taking steps to make travel easier for them — and for everyone else.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the KTO released new guidelines for creating pet-friendly travel facilities on Monday. The comprehensive manual is designed to help tourism sites better accommodate travelers with pets.

The guidelines outline measures that can be applied across various facilities, including tourist attractions, accommodations, restaurants and cafes. They specify essential features such as leash hooks and disinfectants, as well as recommended amenities like pet lounges, playgrounds and waste disposal areas.

The guide also compiles key regulations under the Animal Protection Act, Food Sanitation Act and Feed Management Act. To ensure practicality, the KTO consulted with experts including veterinarian and animal behaviorist Seol Chae-hyun, Petsgo Travel CEO Lee Tae-gyu and officials from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

The organization said the initiative aims to create an environment where pet owners and non-pet owners can coexist comfortably and safely.

"Since 2022, we have designated six cities, including Ulsan, Taean, Pocheon, Suncheon, Iksan and Gyeongju, as pet-friendly tourism destinations. We hope these new guidelines will encourage more local governments and tourism operators to join the pet-friendly travel market," said Choi Hye-ri, head of the KTO's tourism content strategy team.

The pet-friendly travel market has been booming in Korea as more people seek to bring their furry companions along on trips.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 28.6 percent of Korean households own pets, including about 5 million dogs nationwide.

A separate survey by Open Survey found that 75.8 percent of pet owners wish to travel with their animals. Those who do spend significantly more than other travelers, by 1.9 times more on day trips and 3.3 times more on overnight stays.