In an increasingly competitive market, creating an unforgettable experience and exploring ways to broaden your audience is essential. Whilst it won’t be suitable for every owner, one potential strategy to attract more bookings is exploring how to make your spaces dog friendly, so that four-legged guests (as well as the two-legged ones) enjoy the restful stay they deserve. In this article we’ll look into some interesting stats behind pet booking trends and offer some tips on how to transform your glamping spaces into a true dog haven. 

Understanding the market: why dog friendly matters 

In today’s pet-loving society, dog-friendly spaces aren’t merely desirable; they’re becoming increasingly essential. There are approximately 13.5 million dogs owned as pets in the UK and with 36% of households now owning a dog, this isn’t just a trend – it’s a significant opportunity to increase your bookings and enhance guest experience. By genuinely welcoming dogs, you’re opening the door to a wider potential audience, but before you just throw open your spaces to our four-legged friends it’s important to distinguish between being dog friendly and merely dog tolerant. Above all, dog-owning guests want assurance that their furry family members are genuinely welcome, not just permitted. 

The essentials of dog-friendly amenities  

While offering basic amenities like dog bowls, beds, and towels is a good start, many dog owners will often bring their dog’s favourites of these items themselves. So it’s worth looking beyond these for some additional touches that can genuinely elevate the experience: 

• Treats and toys: Providing complimentary dog treats and toys can make dogs feel pampered and at home. Small gestures like this demonstrate that you care about your canine guests. 
• Washing facilities: Muddy paws are part of living a life more wild. By ensuring you have a designated area for washing dogs, complete with a hose, shampoo, and towels – you’ll help maintain cleanliness (of both your space and the dog!) and enhance the overall feeling of convenience for guests. 
• Furniture considerations: Allowing dogs on some furniture, with the provision of blankets or changeable covers, can make both pets and owners feel more relaxed in a space. These blankets can then be easily washed, maintaining the cleanliness for your next guests. 
• Enclosed gardens: Safety is a top priority for dog owners. If you can create an enclosed garden or play area it ensures dogs can roam freely without the risk of running away, giving owners peace of mind.

Going the extra mile: special touches 

So far so good, but to truly stand out and have dogs everywhere pawing at the rebook button, you could also consider these additional features too: 

• Welcome pack: What would a welcome pack for pets look like? Well, it might include a guide to local dog-friendly walks, nearby pet shops and veterinary services, or handy tips from other dog-owning visitors – all of which can be incredibly useful for guests. 
• Pet-friendly décor: Incorporate durable and easy-to-clean materials in your furnishings. This makes maintaining a clean space simpler and more effective. Eg. wooden or tiled floors. 
• On-site pet services: If feasible, offering pet-sitting can be a game-changer, allowing guests to enjoy some human-only activities while ensuring their pets are cared for. 
• Pet safety measures: Ensure that your space is free from hazards like toxic plants or unsafe furniture that could harm pets.

The impact on bookings from being dog-friendly  

Adopting a dog-friendly policy isn’t just about attracting more bookings; it’s also about increasing guest satisfaction and loyalty. Our data shows that our 'Pets welcome' collection is the second most popular search filter, after ‘hot tubs’. Moreover, our dog-friendly glamping landing page is the third most visited via organic traffic and ranks as the seventh highest revenue-driving landing page on our website. 

The average conversion rate for guests visiting our landing pages is 0.19%, but dog-friendly pages convert higher at 0.33%. This is partly because guests searching for dog-friendly spaces usually have a higher intention to book. 

The trend for people searching for dog-friendly holidays in google has also been increasing steadily year on year since 2004 and that is reflected too in the graph below showing the growth in the % of C&S bookings with dogs over recent years – a significant increase.

These figures demonstrate spaces that are genuinely dog friendly are not just a nice-to-have, but when done right, open up a potentially large and lucrative segment of the market. 

By going beyond basic amenities and genuinely welcoming dogs, you create a memorable experience for all guests. As more households embrace pet ownership, tapping into this market can further set your glamping business apart and ensure another steady stream of happy, loyal guests.  

For more advice on how to make your space dog friendly and what you might charge for accepting dogs, get in touch with your account manager by emailing owners@canopyandstars.co.uk