It is called “Pet Travel Hub” and it is the digital platform designed to guide pet owners in choosing pet-friendly destinations, accommodations, and itineraries. Italy and the United Kingdom are the first countries in Europe to benefit from this servicelaunched in the United States in May 2024.
But let's take a step back.
Everything starts from a survey conducted last May by SWG for the Mars group (to clarify, the one with the Cesar brand that markets pet food). According to the collected data, almost half of dog owners in Italy (45%) refrain from taking their pet on vacation due to organizational difficulties. Among the main obstacles, the difficulty in visiting attractions (37%), the complexity of traveling by public transport (34%), and the lack of pet-friendly accommodations (29%) are reported. However, 65% of respondents state that having clear information about the services offered by the facilities would increase their willingness to travel with their dog. And this is where the pet-friendly platform comes in with all its services.
The Pet Travel Hub offers regional guides with the best destinations for travelers and four-legged friends and an AI-based Trip Builder capable of creating personalized itineraries in just a few clicks, combining the experiences of other travelers and community reviews, providing practical and immediate solutions to enjoy time together, even away from home.
The project is part of the global Better Cities for Pets program, which promotes more welcoming cities and spaces for animals and, among other things, Tripadvisor has added the category "Pet-Friendly Hotels" to the Travelers' Choice Awards, recognizing facilities that offer excellent services for pets.