There is a growing demand among pet owners for luxury travel options, and the entire pet travel industry has jumped on the demand. While there was once the expectation for animals to quietly sit segregated in the cargo hold until the flight hit cruising altitude, and then be equally as quiet on the way back down, pet-friendly travel is more aligned with contemporary ideals. Dogs are allowed in stores, cafes, and bars the way they never were before. It only makes sense that owners expect pet-friendly travel options to be as up-to-date with trends.
In particular, the luxury end of travel is working to court pet owners by treating their pets like royalty. While the idea of pet-friendly travel at any price point is certainly developed to cater to an expanding and more visible clientele at all levels, it’s the growing popularity of animal-friendly luxury travel with companion accommodations that suggests changing uses for, and perceptions of, the spaces around us (and above us). It also indicates a demand for exclusivity, for high-end options that, yes, include pet-friendly options, but not to the exclusion of catering to the pet owners themselves. It comes down to wants versus needs: pet-friendly accommodations range from airport pet relief zones to built-in spaces to the grandeur of VIP packages, but the commonality of pet travel is anchored in an extended awareness. The pet is part of the comfort equation in settings where travelers are looking for layers of relief. Expensive pet-friendly travel allows the pet owner to prioritize their passions—but we are seeing more and more travel options where pets are getting a mouthful, too.
Key Considerations for Jetsetting Pet Owners Traveling with Pets
Pet owners today frequently travel with their pets, and since they consider their pets to be part of their family, today’s wealthy travelers expect luxury hotels and resorts to offer pet-friendly services and amenities. Pets are also traveling more frequently with their owners, which notes that about two-thirds of pet owners in the US take their pets with them on vacation. There are many things for pet lovers to consider, from the pet policy of your hotel to the sorts of animals accepted at your destination.
If you are transporting an animal, think about how you will get around. Planes, trains, and automobiles all present their own set of challenges, ranging from fees to health certificates to purchasing time in advance. Furthermore, their fragility must be considered, as many purebreds are unsuited to the wear and tear of frequent packing in cargo holds. Because many dogs are not well suited to travel, the most important aspect of traveling with a pet is their safety. European exceptionally short-nosed breeds are particularly affected by transporting conditions, and those that are snub-nosed have specific regulations for their transportation due to their issues with thermal regulation. When it comes to pet travel, it’s essential to be aware and well prepared. A healthy pet is an essential prerequisite for any pet travel, especially if your pet will be boarding a plane. Many commercially available transports and carriers require a certificate indicating proof of immunization.
Pet-Friendly Accommodations
The travel and luxury industries know that pets are considered family, and their ideas on what is pet-friendly are certainly evolving. Dog beds and in-room food and water bowls have become standard items in many luxury hotels and resorts. However, pet-friendly accommodations are not built the same, and introducing pet-friendly amenities doesn’t always make a hotel or resort pet-friendly at its core. By definition, a truly pet-friendly hotel is one that welcomes pets with open arms and whose pet-friendly policies do not detract from the visitor experience at all. All pets are different, and the range of breeds is vast, so it’s important for a pet-friendly property to be flexible and offer a range of suggestions to suit the needs of dogs and their owners.
Everyone tries to nail the “pet-friendly” tag, but the options available to jet-setting pets are diverse. Their services vary from offering a proper pet menu with groomers on hand to spacious in-room doggie terraces. For pet owners who can afford luxury travel, the options are plentiful. Look for pet-friendly accommodations that offer designated dog areas that are spacious, and make sure to find an accommodation that offers amenities such as dog walking, dog sitting, and off-site dog-friendly activities, since they are actually beneficial. Most pet lovers are looking for a bigger challenge, embracing the adorable animals of the world as full-fledged family members — and as such, taking them along on holiday far away from the trappings of the 9 to 5.
Pet-Specific Amenities and Services
Luxury travel operators understand the importance of pets as travel companions and build it into their custom travel experiences with exclusive amenities and services. Most obviously, the number of pet-friendly hotels, rentals, and venues aimed at travelers with pets is increasing daily. It is becoming more common to find pet-friendly spa packages and pet-centric amenities like dog yoga or cat-themed cocktails. A handful of hotels boast pet-specific amenities including professional pet services like dog walking and pet sitting, which can be incredibly convenient. There are also a couple of dog-specific hotels, some of which offer a pool as well as dog obedience classes and agility workshops for pets and their owners. A growing number of pet-friendly accommodations also offer pet-specific grooming services and hosts who will interact with and provide care for the pet while the owner pursues other amenities at the property.
Possibly the first luxury travel operator to create bespoke itineraries, travel itineraries that include their pet created services for animal-friendly airlines, arranging for private charter jets with in-flight service including private suites for passengers and their pets, accommodations in pet-friendly 5-star hotels with available pet grooming, plush in-room bedding, all-natural gourmet pet menus made by hotel chefs, dog walking services, and dog activity areas. Oddly, these specially planned travel experiences include meals hosted by veterinarians to guide pet owners through pet acupuncture seminars. Whether for a jet-setting group of friends or a group of 50, this company provides seamless travel plans that include luxury transportation, accommodations, and engaging intergenerational owner-pet activities. Pet owners are looking for pet accommodations when they travel with pets. Luxurious linens, grooming services, pet-friendly activities, and well-managed common areas are among the pet-centric priorities an owner looks for when they travel with their pet. The report also revealed that more than half of the pets in the surveyed homes will go on at least one overnight trip with their humans in the next year.
Transportation Options for Pets
For those pet owners who want to bring their four-legged friends along on their luxurious getaways, there are many options for safe and comfortable pet transport. When choosing a flight or train, check to make sure that the carrier allows pet passengers. Policies vary between companies, and it’s a good idea to shop around for the best deal and the best service. Pets should be transported in specially designed carriers; some companies offer transport crates, while others require owners to bring their own. In most cases, owners must reserve a place for their pets in advance. Regardless of the form of transportation, pets should have health certificates, as well as all necessary vaccinations and a microchip before traveling.
For those who don’t want to use commercial transportation, private jets are one option. Many companies allow pets to fly in the cabin, either loose or in their crate, although pets in the cargo hold is also an option for large breeds. There are also pet transport services that can help travelers arrange every aspect of their furry friends’ trip, including ground transportation if needed. These companies typically charge a fee for their services; free quotes are available. Tranquilizers are not recommended to ease the pet’s stress during travel, as the effects of tranquilizers can be more unpredictable in a pressurized, crowded environment. Adequate food and water should be available, and dogs and cats should have the opportunity to be walked or played with before the trip to tire them out a little – they’re more likely to rest quietly during the trip. A favorite toy will also help to supply comfort and distraction during travel.
Health and Safety Concerns
Prior to travel, it is absolutely necessary to have a comprehensive check-up at the pet’s known veterinary clinic. This will determine whether there are any health or behavioral issues that must be addressed prior to travel. Owners must also ensure that animals are registered with a veterinary office that has an international reach, or at least in the port of entry in the destination country. Local veterinary services at the destination should also be obtained following arrival. Pets, particularly dogs, are likely to experience significant stress during extended travel periods that involve change. In certain cases, particularly with dogs that are uncomfortable with confinement, there will be a need for medication to relieve anxiety. This, too, should be discussed with a veterinary professional well before departure on a journey.
The provision of adequate hydration and nourishment is a fundamental requirement for the health and well-being of dogs, cats, and other companion animals. The conveyance of animals implies that appropriate food and drink must be provided during the course of the journey. Care and attention also need to be directed to the conditions in which they are transported and housed, typically in cages. Despite distractions, these animals are likely to be confined in an unfamiliar location where their owner is absent for extended durations. Overseas travel comes with potential complications and emergencies. To be best prepared, keep a database of local veterinary services and supply chains and an emergency contact person in the destination country. Keep digital copies of any pet health documents in several forms in case of loss. By securing the health and stress-free situation of your pet, you can ensure that the overall journey experience is both memorable and enjoyable for the animal and yourself.
Trends and Innovations in Luxury Travel for Pet Owners
For years, luxury travelers have often been pet owners—and, of course, pet lovers as well. The last few years have seen pet-centric services springing up everywhere as more and more Americans find themselves with money to spend on their animal friends. Where do people used to the lap of luxury take their beloved pooches and kitties for a taste of the good life? Traveling with pets has become such a lucrative business, in fact, that it’s driving change in the travel industry. Smart hotels are introducing pet policies that promise not just to welcome your animal companion, but to provide for it, ensuring that guests will pick their hotels over chains with basic pet policies. And then there are the people who are capitalizing on this growing demand, building travel services that cater to the pets themselves. Ultimately, luxury travel providers are looking to provide a seamless, delightful experience for both traveler and pet—and to those businesses, disruption takes on many forms. Think how much easier it would be to show your dog the world’s most beautiful places if you could take a completely pet-friendly road trip. Luxury version: For a hefty fee, you can now book a 20-day RV tour across the U.S. through which both you and your pet can visit national parks, taste local wines, and dine at pet-friendly five-star restaurants. There are additional touring options for both the Little Rovers and the Great Danes, all programmed with pet-friendly highlights. A lot of vacationers now feel guilty about traveling, leaving their pets behind or not. There is a big, growing trend for sustainable, green dog and cat travel.
Bespoke Pet Concierge Services
‘Bespoke’ has become this season’s most overused and misunderstood word in luxury – but some services are genuinely taking it to heart. In this vein, concierge services for pets are starting to pop up in select high-end hotels and private charter service providers, aiming to cater to dog or cat owners who could do with a hand when checking into a monstrous five-star hotel or trying to breeze through security with their scarcely classified family members. Never mind the many animal lovers and advocates who turn up their noses at the premise (and there are quite a few): for these luxury customers, pets are not only something to miss – the thought of leaving home without them is unthinkable. Pet concierge services offer to take them from there, in the luxury-oriented goal for the most detailed service possible. The pet travel planners do more than book a pet-friendly hotel room – they can even select a spa, arrange grooming, a vet, or a new bed, organize a lavish walk for a group of same-high-strata dogs, or deliver the right kind of food to the home or the very private jet. To pet owners of this caliber – where pampered pets are more like children – the idea is simply to cover every permutation. Importantly, the services take a good deal of stress out of traveling, not only so pet owners can unwind on board knowing their precious animals are safe and cared for. But these services do represent a broader goal that reflects the evolving luxury travel ideal – greater inclusiveness. A holiday where every member of the family has an adventure aligned with both their needs and their interests is becoming not just desirable, but essential. And as pet owners become more and more fussily protective and caring of their own animals, it is only natural that these be bundled into the fold as well. In other words, it’s about making sure everyone has a good time.
Luxury Pet-Friendly Hotels and Resorts
Gone are the days of traveling companions needing to choose between upscale accommodations and their four-legged friends. Although once-fringe, the luxury pet-friendly trend has evolved into its own segment, with high-end hotels and resorts not just offering places for pets to stay but truly embracing them as part of their property’s makeup. This has led to a new phase of hospitality, working to attract pets by making them feel just as much like a jetsetter as their owners. High-end accommodations that cater intensively to guests’ pets indicate a bigger movement in both hospitality and design towards taking service to a new level, embracing all members of travelers’ families. Fancy pet-friendly hotels are bringing in greater design consideration for not only the actual four-legged guests but also the amenities pet owners are looking to give them. New luxury properties often integrate pet-friendly services, including holistic wellness options for dogs, special treats, and custom meals designed by the hotel chef, as well as full pet spa programs. Dog concierges and pet butlers are becoming more common as well, matching guests’ dogs to their favorite parks and offering detailed knowledge of each dog program and policy. Many of these high-end hotels also offer custom pet fashions and collars in boutiques on-site and from store partners. For luxury options, owners can choose to board their pets in top-of-the-line accommodations, with personalized programs and amenities aimed at keeping pets away from behaviors associated with travel, such as crying, pacing, and biting. These are especially popular at high-end luxury hotels located in pet-centric travel destinations. The high-end luxury end of hospitality is leaning pet-friendly and pet-centric (or even pet-exclusive) in response to the growing amenities customers are seeking.
Exclusive Pet Travel Packages
In recent years, travel industry businesses have started catering to a new breed of client: well-heeled pet owners. Agencies put together packages that take out the hassle of traveling with various animals as well as present truly unique experiences for the pet parent. These travel packages are often pricey, but promise to take all the guesswork and stress out of vacation travel. The packages can include everything from pet-friendly plane travel, custom itineraries booked at pet-friendly hotels and boarding facilities, pet-friendly dining experiences, and even grooming services in some instances. What differentiates these packages from other options in the market is the level of personal and specific attention paid to the pet travel experience, as well as the combined individualized conveniences for both pets and humans. Some agencies will also provide ground transportation. These packages take the premium pet travel of the past and extend them across the entirety of the pet parent’s travel. Travel agents are coordinating with local small business owners, veterinarians, groomers, and bipartisan rental and boarding venues to create specialized pet-centric travel experiences all over the country, encouraging both new types of travel experiences and bolstering the local economy. Because of the nature of the travel packages and the great deal of customization work that goes into them, a pet-friendly vacation package can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Whether the client has an animal living with a lifetime disability or is someone with various animals wanting a full travel experience, every pet owner who has utilized their service has given them stellar ratings for the entirety of their trip and return rate business. Translated, people are willing to spend a little extra cash for their animal’s comfort while traveling and leisure accommodations.
In sum, luxury travel for pet owners must be seen as a much-needed response to a significant and welcomed travel landscape transformation. As traveling is increasingly seen as a deeply engaging form of leisure – international tourist numbers have reached a staggering 1.5 billion worldwide – so too are the animals we now love and cherish as companions and rightful members of the family. And as the animals we invite into our homes and lives are increasingly cared for as children, it stands to reason that the travel services we need to convey them as well should be marked by that same commitment to shared comfort and joy. As a result, there is a clear case to invest in such travel services inspired and tailored to the needs and desires of jet-setting pet owners. It is a multimillion-dollar market already on the rise, and investment in inclusive travel experiences is a continuing river of happy returns. The future for jet-setting canine travel is one of continuous growth and continual innovation in delineating the best minds to cater to this complex, demanding, and delightful group of travelers. Travel and lifestyle brands should seize upon the challenge of the pet passenger as an opportunity to leapfrog stale, alienating, and exclusionary travel categories towards services that are luxurious and enjoyable for all members of the family – two- or four-legged. To do so, we encourage providers everywhere to get to know the emerging expectations and emerging leaders in the sector of animal-adoring luxury lovers.