As guests have packed their bags and left home for summer travel following a few years of pandemic-caused pent-up demand, some travelers haven’t shown up in hotel occupancy figures.
More pets have joined their owners on leisure trips since the start of the pandemic, especially in the summer months, according to hoteliers.
According to a 2021 study by the non-profit American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, nearly 1 in 5 U.S. households have brought home either a cat or dog since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Another study found that out of all U.S. pet owners, 78% acquired their pet during the pandemic.
Hoteliers say the uptick in pet ownership has been reflected in guests traveling with a furry friend.
“During the pandemic and social distancing, we all learned how pets are such crucial companions,” Amy Arbuckle, general manager at the W San Francisco, said in an email interview. “As a result, we have seen a number of guests traveling with their dogs, more so than before.”
