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the Paris Metro and hanging out in cafes and fashionable shops for

years. Residents of the EU can freely cross borders with dogs, cats,

and ferrets that have an electronic microchip and proof of up-to-date

rabies vaccinations, and expect to find welcoming accommodations

almost everywhere on the continent. Schmiak estimates that 90 per-

cent of Austrian hotels permit pets. Bringing animals into the U.K.,

Ireland, Finland, and Malta can be trickier, requiring treatment for the

tapeworm echinococcus and possible quarantine.

Taking pets on a long trans-Atlantic trip for a week or two is rarely

worth the stress and hassle for owners or animals. But in the U.S., the

market for pet-friendly properties, especially resorts with large drive-to

markets, is impossible to ignore. According to the ASPCA, almost half

of all U.S. households have a dog and up to 37 percent have a cat. In

the third annual Travel Survey by Petplan, a pet-insurance provider, 80

percent of the more than 4,000 respondents said they wouldn’t leave

home without their pet in 2014 (more than half admitting they’d rather

travel with their pet than their two-legged partner!). A 2013 survey

by TripAdvisor revealed that 28 percent of more than 1,100 U.S.

respondents would choose not to travel to a particular

destination if it didn’t offer pet-friendly accommodations.

That said, the number of owners who actually vacation

with their dogs doesn’t always bear out these survey

results. “It’s really no more than half a dozen on any given

weekend,” Waltrip reports. The percentage is higher at the

140-room Alpenland Sporthotel, although even during

high season, “Sometimes we have 10 dogs in the hotel,

sometimes we have none,” Schmiak says.

The Bite Behind the Bark

Having a pet-friendly policy may be as much about

fostering goodwill as it is about filling rooms. Still, it is

a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“My recommendation is to really think it through very

carefully,” Waltrip says. “There’s a lot of blocking and

tackling that goes into it, from making sure the guest has a

clear understanding of procedures at check-in to making

sure that the room is clean and inspected after they leave.

Once you do it, there’s no going back. You can’t all of sud-

den tell your customers, ‘I’m taking this away from you.’”

One of the first things hotel and resort operators

should do is check into state and local regulations that

could have an impact on a pet policy. For example, most

states require pet owners to carry proof of an up-to-date

rabies vaccination, including a tag attached to the

animal’s collar. Hotels and resorts that permit pets have

the right to ask guests to bring health documents for four-

legged family members that can be verified at check-in.

There may also be state and local regulations regarding

the number of animals that can occupy a room, as well

as special cleaning requirements. The latest EU guide-

lines require rooms occupied by pets to be cleaned

using specific chemicals. Guests at Alpenland Sporthotel

are charged an extra 15 euros a day to cover the deep

cleaning.

Logistical issues are also critical when it comes to

ensuring that a pet-friendly policy works for all guests.

Does the layout of buildings on the property allow for easy

entrance and exit for guests taking their dogs on morning

walks? Is there a clearly marked area away from guest

traffic where guests can exercise their pets?

Treat Pets …

From an operational perspective, it’s important to have details including

acceptable breeds, size limitations, fees, and potential liability in a

clearly written policy that both guests buy into and the staff can enforce.

Westgate Resorts properties have uncarpeted rooms for guests

with pets, on-site dog parks, and pet supplies in their markets. Dogs

weighing up to 60 pounds (more than twice the 25-pound limit that is

the standard for most hotels) are welcome (one per room). However,

certain breeds that are known to be aggressive are restricted. “Our

guests don’t want a pit bull or a Rottweiler roaming around the proper-

ty,” Waltrip says.

Westgate also welcomes cats, often automatically excluded out of

concern for guests who are allergic to cat dander. Modern equipment

and deep-cleaning practices, including changing the HVAC filter, elimi-

nate allergens very effectively. Some hotels and resorts designate

hypoallergenic rooms or floors, similar to nonsmoking accommodations.

And, “The great thing about cats is they don’t bark,” laughs Waltrip.

TRENDS

RESORTDEVELOPER.COM

vacation industry review

JANUARY – MARCH 2015