Traveling with pets: How Europe’s leading cities are opening up to furry friends

A growing number of travellers are choosing to bring their pets along on vacation, and this trend is having a significant impact on the hospitality industry. When searching for accommodation, being truly pet-friendly has become an increasingly important factor. Guests now expect more than just permission to bring a pet, they want real comfort for their four-legged friends: feeding and water bowls in the room, access to nearby dog parks, and even special pet menus among the available services. The most pet-friendly city in Europe is Helsinki, where 84% of accommodations welcome pets, compared to just 23.6% in Hungary.

Travel isn’t just for people anymore, pets are now included too

More and more people are travelling with their dogs, cats, or other small animals. Dogs, especially smaller breeds, remain the most common travel companions, but cats are also on the rise. When filtering for accommodation, the “pet-friendly” option is becoming a must, and travellers expect not only that their pets are accepted, but that they are treated as welcome guests too.

Some of the most popular pet-friendly extras include:

• a bed, a feeding and water bowls in the room
• a welcome package (treats, toys)
• contact to a vet
• easy access to green areas or dog parks
• and in some places, even a separate pet menu

Being pet-friendly has a competitive advantage but comes with a cost

According to SabeeApp’s representative data, 23.6% of Hungarian accommodations accept pets, compared to 25% in Germany, 28.1% in Switzerland, and 48.9% in Lithuania. International research by Holidu shows that Helsinki (84%), Zurich (75%), and Berlin (70%) top the list of Europe’s most pet-friendly cities.

Accommodation owners and providers are responding to this growing demand with increasing awareness. Creating pet-friendly rooms, implementing special cleaning protocols, and offering additional services for animals are no longer just nice extras, they have become business essentials. Most accommodations charge an additional fee for pets: internationally, the average ranges from €5–15 per night, while in Hungary, this can be up to three times higher, typically between 5,000–15,000 HUF.

“We’ve adapted to the needs of our guests who travel with pets, so having a four-legged companion doesn’t cause any issues here. For dog owners, we offer garden-access rooms, and upon request, we provide pet beds and feeding bowls. We’ve even hosted surprisingly large dogs, though it’s always best for owners to check in advance. One of the most frequent summer questions is whether dogs can swim, either at the beach or in the pool. While the latter isn’t possible, we do everything we can to make sure pets are accommodated comfortably, without disturbing guests who don’t have dogs.” -
said Győző Mészáros, manager of Colors Holiday Hotel*** at Lake Balaton.

Pet spas, dog surfing, luxury grooming: the future of pet-friendly travel

The global pet-friendly hotel market was valued at $3.66 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $4.10 billion in 2024, this means a 12.4% annual growth rate. In the most developed markets, pet spas, dedicated pet hotels, and premium accommodations offering 24-hour pet care are already available.

“At SabeeApp, we know first-hand how much joy pets bring to everyday life. Many of our team members regularly bring their dogs to the office, so it’s part of our daily routine. It’s no surprise that more and more people want to take their four-legged companions on vacation. For accommodations, welcoming pets is not just a kind gesture, but a smart, future-focused business decision, one that improves the guest experience, builds loyalty, and taps into a rapidly growing market segment,” said Szabolcs Herman, founder and CEO of SabeeApp.

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