A cat lover kisses her furry friend in Shanghai. CHINA DAILY

Zhao Shan had always felt a pang of guilt every time she dropped off her beloved dog, Max, at a pet care center before embarking on her holiday travels. Max's sad eyes and whimpering goodbye always tugged at her heartstrings, but she had no better option.

Last year, determined to include Max in a family vacation during the National Day holiday in October, the 28-year-old Shanghai consultant planned an unforgettable trip for herself and her faithful companion to neighboring Zhejiang province.

"Max is not just a pet. He is family, and I simply don't want to leave him behind again," Zhao said, adding that she researched various accommodation options, discovering that many hotels and vacation rentals now cater to pet owners.

Zhao is among the rapidly growing ranks of pet owners who now take their furry family members on vacation with them — a trend made possible by the rise in animal-friendly accommodations along with transport operators and eateries that meet these needs.

A survey conducted by the Shanghai-based Asia Pet Alliance in early November showed that among services pet owners are most keen to patronize, pet-friendly hotels, travel-with-pet services and pet-friendly restaurants rank high on the list.

The pet-friendly homestay market in Shanghai, as seen from statistics released by vacation rentals platform Tujia, had a notable upsurge in 2022, with the number of such accommodations approaching 30,000, up 127 percent from pre-pandemic 2019. In addition, Zhejiang saw an even more remarkable rise in pet-friendly lodging alternatives, with over 70,000 available — a 157 percent increase over three years prior.

"Including Max means my travel budget has to be adjusted accordingly since pet-friendly accommodations often come with additional fees and charges, which is about 200 yuan ($28) higher per night than regular stays. I understand the need for extra cleaning and maintenance," Zhao said, stressing that the joy and companionship shared with her beloved pet are worth every yuan.

This newfound popularity of pet-friendly travel not only provides pet owners with the opportunity to bond with their furry companions, but also prompts more businesses to adapt to pet owners' shifting needs, executives and analysts said.

Hotel chains have long recognized the potential benefits of accommodating pets, tapping into a rapidly growing market segment of pet owners who wish to include their furry friends in their travel experiences, said Zhao Huanyan, chief knowledge officer at Huamei Consulting Group.

As of the end of 2022, there were more than 70.43 million urban pet owners (including both dogs and cats) in China, a year-on-year increase of 2.9 percent, according to a white paper on China's pet business published by Chinese pet industry website pethadoop.com.

Meanwhile, the total number of pets in China nationwide, as shown by data from consulting company Frost & Sullivan, is expected to increase to 446 million by 2024.

As demand for pet-friendly accommodations continues to rise, a wide variety of pet-friendly hotels have emerged to tap into the lucrative market, providing tailored facilities and services that prioritize the well-being and comfort of people's furry companions, Huamei's Zhao said, adding that these enhanced offerings often come at a premium price.

Pet-friendly hotel rooms require additional labor and time, as well as specialized cleaning equipment and disinfection protocols, to ensure thorough cleanliness and hygiene, said Kang Wei, vice-president of marketing at Atour Group, a domestic hotel chain.

Moreover, investment in outdoor spaces, pet-friendly amenities and oversized rooms for pets not only leads to higher construction and maintenance expenses, but also requires ongoing upkeep and customization to cater to the needs of different pets and their owners, Kang said.

With a strong affinity for pets and a desire to provide them with the best care, pet owners — especially younger ones — are willing to pay for pet-friendly accommodations that align with their values and lifestyle even at rather lofty prices, said Zhang Xuyun, a hospitality industry insider.

The population of young pet owners continues to rise, with individuals born after 1995, commonly known as Generation Z, taking the lead, accounting for 36.8 percent of all pet owners in the country, according to the white paper.

In addition to regular pet-friendly hotels, pet-themed hotels, where both design and decor are inspired by canine and feline concepts, are gaining in popularity, as well as hotel resorts that offer a range of pet services, such as dog parks and grooming, to actively engage with this demographic, Zhang said.

Hotel groups are leveraging technology and digital platforms to connect with young pet owners. Online booking systems, social media engagement and dedicated pet-friendly websites are just a few examples of how hotels are reaching out to this tech-savvy generation, Zhang added.

Ren Hong, a 30-something resident of Hangzhou in Zhejiang, stumbled upon a series of heartwarming photos and videos shared by a group of pet owners who had taken their furry friends to a hotel for the weekend. Motivated by the joyous moments captured in those online posts, Ren made the decision to take his pet along on a hotel getaway.

"I never expected there would be so many people vacationing with their pets," Ren said, adding that the thoughtful amenities provided for their furry companions — such as inviting pet beds, food and water bowls and even a personalized welcome treat — exceeded his initial expectations.

Despite the hotel's charge of approximately 1,000 yuan per night, Ren was able to experience a delightful and hassle-free vacation, thanks to the hotel's dedication to going the extra mile to provide a range of amenities and services specifically designed to cater to pets.

As the pet industry continues to witness exponential growth, spurred by consumer upgrades and a shift toward personalized consumption, demand for pet-related hospitality services shows no signs of slowing down.

According to research firm iiMedia Research, the industry scale of China's pet economy hit 493.6 billion yuan in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 25.2 percent, while its market size is expected to reach 811.4 billion yuan by 2025.

While demand for pet-friendly accommodations is on the rise, it is essential for hotels to assess their suitability for accommodating pets before promoting themselves as such, said Gu Huimin, a professor with the School of Tourism Sciences at Beijing International Studies University.

Factors such as hotel infrastructure, location and existing amenities play a significant role in determining if a hotel is genuinely pet-friendly, Gu said, adding that hotels located in bustling urban areas or those without appropriate outdoor spaces, for example, may not provide an optimal environment for pets.

While catering to pet owners can attract a specific market demographic, it may also lead to the loss of customers who do not own pets or have different preferences. Some guests may have concerns about allergies, cleanliness or disturbances caused by pets, Gu added.

Meanwhile, the expansion of pet-friendly offerings on a larger scale presents unique challenges that require careful consideration and innovative solutions so as to suit the evolving expectations of pet owners and the increasing recognition of pets as integral family members, said Bo Wenxi, chief economist at Interpublic Group China.

"One of the primary hurdles faced by hotel groups is the standardization of pet-friendly amenities and services across multiple locations. Achieving consistency in the hotel experience while accounting for variations in architecture and design is crucial," Bo said.

Effective personnel management is another vital aspect that hotel chains must address. Staff members who interact with guests and their pets require proper training to be knowledgeable about pet-related services, demonstrate empathy toward pets, and possess the ability to handle any potential issues that may arise, Bo added.