TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community, have announced the results of its annual travelling with pets survey of more than 1,600 travellers.

Among people that own pets, 61 percent have travelled with a pet and 17 percent said the number one reason they travel with their pet(s) is they enjoy spending their holiday with them. Sixty-five percent of survey respondents own a pet.

“For many people, a pet is a member of the family and leaving them home is not an option,” said Michele Perry, from TripAdvisor. “As it’s clear there is a demand for pet-friendly accommodations, look for more and more hotels to add pet amenities.”

In the Dog House
Forty-four percent of travellers think hotels should be more accommodating for pets, which is down four percent from last year. Among pet owners, 24 percent would most like to see hoteliers provide a pet-sitting service and 17 percent asked for separate housing/hotel kennel. Fifty-six percent of all travellers do not think there are any pet-friendly hotel chains.

Doggie Diggs
Paws pads are a priority when travelling with a pet, as 46 percent of pet owners said they will only stay at accommodations that are pet friendly. This attitude was especially strong among dog owners (58 percent.) Thirty-eight percent of respondents with a pet said they would pay more to stay somewhere that is pet friendly. For the second straight year, Best Western is the most pet-friendly hotel chain according to the survey.

Pets and Petrol
The high cost of fuel is even impacting our furry friends. Travellers may be less likely to see Rover hanging out the window of a car, as 20 percent of pet owners said they are less likely to travel with their pet(s) because of the high cost of fuel. Eighty-five percent of pet owners said that when travelling with a pet, they typically travel by car.

Pet Predicament
Although many people like to travel with their pet(s), there are concerns. Twenty-five percent of pet owners cited animal stress as their biggest concern about travelling with a pet and 23 percent said the fact that no one can look after their pet while they are sightseeing/touring is their biggest concern.

Whisker Withdrawal
Thirty-two percent of pet owners take shorter vacations and 21 percent take fewer vacations, down from 25 percent last year, to limit the time they are away from their pet(s). Twelve percent of pet owners said their pet prevents them from going on vacation. Six percent of people indicated they would be interested in renting a pet while travelling.

Pets and Passports
Six percent of pet owners taking part in the survey said they have obtained a pet passport.

Top 10 Pet-Friendly UK Accommodations

1. Stone House Hotel, Hawes. North Yorkshire, England www.stonehousehotel.co.uk
2. Millbrook Cottages, Umberleigh, Devon, England www.millbrookcottages.co.uk
3. Can-y-Bae, Llandudno, NorthWales, Wales www.can-y-baehotel.com
4. Elvey Farm, Pluckley, Kent, England www.elveyfarm.co.uk
5. Long Shadows B&B, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland www.longshadows.co.uk
6. Trigony House Hotel, Dumfries, Scotland www.trigonyhotel.co.uk
7. Tomich Hotel, Beauly, Scottish Highlands, Scotland www.tomichhotel.co.uk
8. Craig-y-Nos Castle, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales www.craigynoscastle.com
9. Ferintosh Guest House, Dumfries, Scotland www.ferintosh.net
10. Kilcamb Lodge Hotel, Argyll and Bute, Scotland www.kilcamblodge.co.uk

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