Cape Town - Travelling pet owners are increasingly demanding pet-friendly accommodation and facilities in the hospitality industry, according to Dale Simpson, curator of the Radisson RED Hotel V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
"As the market of devoted pet owners continues to expand, the hospitality industry can either evolve to cater to it, or forego a growing number of potential guests as a result," said Simpson.
“Not so long ago traveling with your pet wasn’t really a viable option logistically. However, as airlines, cruise ships and doggy-car-seats continue to make it progressively easier to travel with pets, more and more pet-parents are insisting that their fur-children be allowed to vacation too."
There is a growing consensus that bringing their pet along will actually enhance their holiday, rather than having to leave them behind in a kennel.
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Simpson explained that, while the international hospitality industry has been fairly quick to cater to this growing market, South African establishments don’t appear to be adapting as swiftly.
According to international booking platform Hotels.com, one-third of the hotels listed on its site now welcome guests with pets. In South Africa, however, options remain fairly limited when looking for pet-friendly accommodation – particularly luxury accommodation.
The soon-to-launch Cape Town Radisson RED hotel will follow a liberal pet policy. It will allow friendly dogs and cats that weigh under 8kg - and no more than two per room - to join their owners on vacation, granted they book a pet-friendly room and are kept on a leash or in a carrier when outside the room.
RED’s pet programme includes a bandana, bed, food, and water dish to use during the stay.
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