If you own a holiday cottage, particularly if you are located somewhere that people like to base themselves for walking holidays or to enjoy the countryside, you might want to consider marketing your business as dog- or pet-friendly. Dog friendly holiday cottages are those which specifically appeal to dog owners wishing to take their dogs with them on holidays and tend to be located in the countryside. Pet friendly holiday cottages welcome most types of pet (some do not allow birds) and can be located anywhere.
During these hard economic times, increasing your number of potential customers is a must, and advertising your holiday accommodation as being pet-friendly or dog-friendly will add to the number of people who might be interested in staying there. It is true, though, that people with allergies might avoid booking pet friendly holiday cottages in case their stay is made uncomfortable by fur or hair residue in the air. But the number of pet owners will outweigh the number of pet-allergy sufferers wanting to book holiday cottages anyway.
If a pet owner enjoys their stay and feels truly welcomed, they will return and they will also tell plenty of other people about their stay, whether online or whilst out walking their dogs or talking with other pet-owners at the vet.
You can also take advantage of some free online advertising on pet websites for being pet-friendly.
If you decide to make your holiday cottage pet- or dog-friendly, there are some things that you need to consider. First and foremost, you need to make sure that your accommodation is genuinely pet-friendly and not merely tolerant of pets or dogs. Pet owners will instantly know the difference and a poor experience can reduce your bookings as word gets round (particularly through online review sites).
You need a proper pet policy in place that sets out what you would expect from owners and pets staying in your accommodation (it is not unreasonable to set boundaries); you also need to make sure that your accommodation is located suitably to meet the needs of your guests but also not to inconvenience neighbours. For instance, if your holiday cottage adjoins a neighbouring property, your neighbours may not be thrilled if a visiting cat uses their garden as a toilet, or if a visiting dog keeps them awake all night barking because it is in a strange place. Nor will your guests be thrilled if there is nowhere immediately close where they can take their dogs to use the toilet (having a designated doggy toilet is a good idea; mark off an area with a fence but make it clear that your guests would still be expected to pick up after their pet).
Make all of your rules and guidelines as well as advice and helpful hints available in your pet policy, which should be available for your guests to read before they arrive (put it on your website, or send it to them if they prefer). It should state what type of pets you would or would not welcome, including size or breed and make clear any additional charges that might apply if damage is incurred to your property. Your price should include any cost relating to thoroughly cleaning a room after each use, but your pet policy should warn that if there is any soiling left behind you would charge a fee to clean it up.
Be upfront with your guests about rules and expectations, but go the extra mile in making them and their pets feel comfortable when they arrive and they will return.
During these hard economic times, increasing your number of potential customers is a must, and advertising your holiday accommodation as being pet-friendly or dog-friendly will add to the number of people who might be interested in staying there. It is true, though, that people with allergies might avoid booking pet friendly holiday cottages in case their stay is made uncomfortable by fur or hair residue in the air. But the number of pet owners will outweigh the number of pet-allergy sufferers wanting to book holiday cottages anyway.
If a pet owner enjoys their stay and feels truly welcomed, they will return and they will also tell plenty of other people about their stay, whether online or whilst out walking their dogs or talking with other pet-owners at the vet.
You can also take advantage of some free online advertising on pet websites for being pet-friendly.
If you decide to make your holiday cottage pet- or dog-friendly, there are some things that you need to consider. First and foremost, you need to make sure that your accommodation is genuinely pet-friendly and not merely tolerant of pets or dogs. Pet owners will instantly know the difference and a poor experience can reduce your bookings as word gets round (particularly through online review sites).
You need a proper pet policy in place that sets out what you would expect from owners and pets staying in your accommodation (it is not unreasonable to set boundaries); you also need to make sure that your accommodation is located suitably to meet the needs of your guests but also not to inconvenience neighbours. For instance, if your holiday cottage adjoins a neighbouring property, your neighbours may not be thrilled if a visiting cat uses their garden as a toilet, or if a visiting dog keeps them awake all night barking because it is in a strange place. Nor will your guests be thrilled if there is nowhere immediately close where they can take their dogs to use the toilet (having a designated doggy toilet is a good idea; mark off an area with a fence but make it clear that your guests would still be expected to pick up after their pet).
Make all of your rules and guidelines as well as advice and helpful hints available in your pet policy, which should be available for your guests to read before they arrive (put it on your website, or send it to them if they prefer). It should state what type of pets you would or would not welcome, including size or breed and make clear any additional charges that might apply if damage is incurred to your property. Your price should include any cost relating to thoroughly cleaning a room after each use, but your pet policy should warn that if there is any soiling left behind you would charge a fee to clean it up.
Be upfront with your guests about rules and expectations, but go the extra mile in making them and their pets feel comfortable when they arrive and they will return.
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