Be pet friendly or not? Here’s the question for hoteliers

In my 25 years of experience in hotels and resorts, I am absolutely sure that every day is a different learning, because in this hotel environment you are able to learn a lot, whether with your employees, suppliers and especially with guests from the world Whole.

Each company, hotel or resort has its culture and different ways of acting in the business.

There are hotel companies that do not accept, for example, pets in their operations, while others are what we call PetFriendly.

Brazilian homes have 139 million pets

And since we’re talking about this subject, I discuss this article about some perceptions I have about “investment.” It is a controversial issue, because many differ from this perception.

Many pets these days are treated as family members and their owners do everything they can to keep them around all the time. Just so you have an idea: there are 139 million pets in Brazil,according to IBGE data.

However, in some situations, such as hotel trips, for example, it is not always possible to take the pet, as it is not all hotels that accept to host you.

Thinking about it and the growing number of pets in the country, many hotel developments began to allow the accommodation of the animal with the guest.

And this has been set up an excellent competitive differential. Within this context, I will try here to present very macro my perception about this investment of the pet market in Brazil and how hoteliers can prepare to receive pets in their facilities.

Strategic option is from the company

It is good to remember that this is a very personal option of the company, the entrepreneur, the hotels. Throughout my life and especially in the hospitality career I observe that pets can contribute to people feeling better in the emotional aspect of the owner.

Therefore, this proximity to your animal can become very close and become a friend, why not? Staying away from your pet could become a problem.

Given this, there is a lot of demand for hoteliers who want to invest in this segment. I believe that Brazil should be a booming market for such an investment.

In addition to the difficulty on the part of the hotel, there is also the situation of transport of the animal , be they by flight or road.

Difference between pet and pet friendly hosting

In Brazil there are several cities that accept to host pets. However, be careful, because there is a great difference between the hotel that allows the lodging of pet and the hotel Pet Friendly.

The first allows accommodation without any investment in adaptation to receive your pet, without any service etc. The second will be better prepared to welcome you properly. This is the most recommended as you will know how to treat your pet. This differential will win over many customers.

Spread your niche without fear

What’s more, there are hotels that accept pet, but they don’t do any kind of disclosure for fear of causing embarrassment to other customers. It’s important that you know which audience you want to hit in your business.

In the United States, for example, this modality is very common in the hotel environment. If you, hotelier, are willing to make this investment is a matter of adaptation to your hotel.

Ensure that this adaptation is strict to the point where you do not miss with the other customer and create an environment where you can serve everyone satisfactorily. My other recommendation is that clear rules are obviously implanted for those who have the animal and for those who do not like it, so everyone can be more relaxed during their stays .

Another important detail is that visually impaired guests cannot be barred by hotels even if they are with their guide dog. It’s law and a right to walk with your guide dog.

Bernal tips for hoteliers

1. It is important that we hoteliers actually have knowledge about the necessary care, so that we can guide our guests from now on at the time of booking. With this, the chance of problems occurring during hosting tends to decrease.
   
2. All staff should know how to provide guests with information on how to transport their pet inside the hotel and in the same way as guiding guests who want to transit the city with them. 
3. Taxis or cars by apps should be communicated with the need for animal transport. Otherwise, the reflection remains because there is a demand for this. 
4. Hospitality must have RULES and OBLIGATIONS for pet owners. 
5. Tell them which objects cannot be used by animals (such as towels, etc.) and which damaged products in the enterprise will be charged. 
6. Make it clear and inform the appropriate place for the animal to do its needs and if there is specific recycle bin to deposit the waste. 
7. Tell us if there are specific services for pets, what are and the costs if they are not included in the rate. 
8. These are basic situations, but that many hotels still do not make it clear to their customers generating no communication at the time of check-out. 
9. Tell us if there is a specific place to bathe at Pet. 
10. Pet owners must have adequate animal baggage to walk through the enterprise where they can store water, food, toys, remedies, feed, clothing, etc. 
11. It is recommended that the hotelier request the health certificate or health certificate, issued by a veterinarian, to prove that the animal is in good health conditions before entering your hotel. 
12. Here is to add value to the business: if you really want to make a happy pet owner offer simple attractions so that the pet can also be integrated into your experiences and memories.