Holidays with pets are becoming mainstream, notes a recent Amadeus study on what it terms the pawprint economy. Citing Bloomberg data, the study projects the global pet industry will be worth US$500 billion in four years, with pet travel accounting for US$2 billion to US$3 billion.
Fred Barou, senior vice president for customer success management, Asia Pacific at Amadeus, described the projected growth of both the pet industry and pet travel as “amazing”.
The rise in pet travel is facilitated by a mix of conditions, according to Barou.
He said: “It is a lifestyle change as well as a generation change. In our survey, we found that 40 to 47 per cent of people were not only owning a pet for the first time, they were also travelling with their pet for the first time. Legislation changes have made travelling with pets easier now, while travel technology have improved searching and booking processes for pet-friendly accommodation and travel services.”
Barou emphasised that pet travel is a “new customer segment” that travel and tourism operators cannot afford to miss.
Indeed, there are now a growing number of travel and tourism products that are designed for both travellers and their beloved furkids.
The Kimpton brand of hotels has made pet-friendly central to its guest experience, where pets are not simply accommodated, but genuinely welcomed as valued guests and part of the family.
At Kimpton Margot Sydney in Australia, pets receive their own plush bed, bowls, treats and concierge guide to nearby parks, cafés, groomers and boutiques, while a dedicated in-room dining menu and access to selected hotel bars ensure they can enjoy the Kimpton experience alongside their owners.
At Thailand’s Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, spaces and activities are curated for travelling pets. Informal get-togethers are also hosted from time to time to bring the pet community together.
“What’s telling is that most of that community is local – Bangkok residents and their pets – which says this is as much about the city as it is about travellers passing through,” said Patrick Both, general manager, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok.
At Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa, in Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture, six dog-friendly rooms are offered. These come with an enclosed balcony as well as an in-room dining menu that features nutritionist-approved canine dishes such as chicken sauteed with rosemary, garlic and olive oil.
While most hotels cater primarily to dogs, selected properties, such as Capella Singapore, Conrad Singapore Orchard, and Amara Sanctuary Singapore, also welcome feline guests.
“By welcoming pets as part of the Capella experience, we helped to shift the perception that pet stays can be integrated in the overall guest journey and experience,” said Christian Westbeld, regional general manager, Southeast Asia, Capella Singapore. “Many guests value enjoying the same level of personalised hospitality with their pets.”
However, Amadeus’ study observes that some pet owners remain unsure of the conditions needed to facilitate pet travel.
“One of the barriers to pet travel is the lack of transparency and consistency. It is fairly easy to fly and stay with family or friends in another country, but complex trips that include a tour, a cruise or a hotel can bring travellers to a roadblock,” shared Barou.
Hence, he advised travel and tourism operators to work together to provide accurate and accessible information about the end-to-end pet travel journey.
More on pet-friendly hospitality products can be found in the latest TTG Asia September-October 2026 issue.
