Due to the increasing number of households with pets, there is growth in the number of people requiring Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation. Tourists find it imperative to travel with their pets, and as a host, catering to such needs opens up new avenues for making money. However, getting your accommodation ready for pets is not just about accommodating them, it is about certain amendments, facilities, and maintenance so that the place is safe, comfortable, and livable for pets as well as their owners. This is how to prepare your Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation for guests in great detail.
1. Understand the Needs of Pet Owners and Their Pets
Before you take time to prepare to establish a Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation, you need to understand your potential customers. Many pet owners, at the very least, would like the assurance that their pets will be secure and comfortable and the environment is appropriate for pets. Strategically positioning against these expectations can give your property an advantage over others in the region. Pet owners are often looking for fenced outdoor areas, dog beds, and pet-friendly walks or parks near the accommodation.
The Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation is made for this audience; understanding their expectations comes first in accomplishing this task.
2. Set Clear Pet Policies
It’s a good idea for your Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation to set specific pet policies that you and your guests will understand. It should address such issues as:
- What kinds of pets are allowed (e.g., dogs only or both cats and dogs)?
- Any applicable weight or breed restrictions.
- Parts of the property, where pets are not allowed (e.g., pets are not allowed on couches or beds).
- The maximum number of pets allowed in a single booking.
Put these policies up on the listing to ensure that the guests see them before making a booking. This prevents any issues and ensures that the host and the guests agree on all issues.
3. Invest in Pet-Friendly Furniture and Decor
When designing Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation, anticipate how pets will interact with soft furnishings and other dated decor. Use tough and easy-to-clean materials like leather, faux leather, or tightly woven fabrics as they are less prone to scratches on the surface. Textiles like silk or suede for example, which are bound to get used up or spoilt should be avoided.
Covering furniture with pet-friendly mats and blankets could help reduce the damage done and also facilitate easy cleaning between guests. Also, make sure you buy decor that is robust enough to take some amount of pet activity so that your Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation looks good and whole.
4. Provide Essential Pet Amenities
Ensuring that your Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation has particular pet amenities can make all the difference for your guests. Think about:
- Pet beds or crates
- Food and water bowls
- A welcome kit with pet treats
- Poop bags and a scooper
- Pet towels for cleaning paws
- A list of nearby pet-friendly parks, trails, and veterinary clinics
These small additions make pets feel welcome and create a stress-free experience for pet owners, enhancing the appeal of your Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation.
5. Ensure Outdoor Spaces are Secure
For those properties that have a courtyard, a balcony, or a terrace, these outdoor places should be secured in a Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation. Put up fences or barriers to restrict pets from escaping. Gates must close tightly, if there are outdoor furniture pieces, they should be securely built so that pets can move around without getting in danger.
Secure outdoor space relieves guests that their pets are vulnerable and provides pets an area to play or stretch out. This additional feature can help normal Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation become appealing for such guests.
6. Provide Information on Local Pet-Friendly Spots
As a host of a Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation, you can leverage the available pet friendly places and market them to your guests. Such places may consist of:
- Pet-friendly restaurants and cafes
- Local parks, beaches, or hiking trails that allow pets
- Grooming services or pet stores in the area
- Local veterinarians or emergency pet care centers
Rather, if such details are stated in the welcome book or your listing with images and a description, it will treat the guests well and make them ready to go out with their pets.
7. Establish a Cleaning Routine for Pet Guests
In regard to any type of lodging facility, cleanliness is important, however, in the case of a Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation, it is even more so. This is because pets, during their stay, can shed fur or dirt, and they may get a bit dirty as well. In order to ensure that your property does not appear old and neglected, there should be a particular cleaning policy in place that should be followed as and when guests check out.
You might want to consider getting a quality vacuum with a pet hair attachment, and a few of the pet-safe cleaning products to remove stains and smells without using harsh chemicals. This way, you will be ensuring that the space is clean so that both the guests who love pets and those who do not, just enjoy their stay.
8. Create a Pet Safety Plan
All of the above applies to pet owners too in the case of the Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation. Remember to include a pet safety plan that minimizes the risks and also keeps areas pet friendly:
- Ensure there are no exposed wires that pets can chew.
- Keep plants that are toxic to pets out of reach.
- Store any hazardous cleaning products securely and out of pet reach.
- Check furniture for any sharp edges or unstable pieces that could pose risks.
All of these are important points to note and they will help to improve the appeal of your Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation as well as help in calming the nerves of pet parents.
9. Market Your Accommodation as Pet-Friendly
When your Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation is properly furnished and ready to receive furry guests, make sure to let this fact be known in your advertisement. Describe such pet-friendly amenities as fenced-in areas, sleeping areas for pets, or nearby dog parks. Provide pictures that show playful areas for pets with an appropriate background, such as patio areas or pet corners.
An attractive and direct explanation that states that pets are welcome is sure to draw potential travelers who may have missed the listing. Since pet owners are always on the hunt for comfortable placing for their pets, let them be aware that yours meets their expectations.
10. Be Flexible with Check-In/Check-Out for Pet Owners
Like many travel variables, pets can be very difficult to manage. Thus, simple things like checking in and out at the right time can be of great concern for pet owners. Granting very early check-in or a very late check-in at the premises of your Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation provides witnesses for guests who come with pets. This allows them time to settle or pack time which can translate to good reviews and repeat business
11. Encourage Responsible Pet Ownership
In a Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation, it is essential to talk to the guests about the responsible management of the pets to have a good atmosphere at all times. Kindly ask the visitors to ensure that their pets do not urinate and defecate in the shared spaces, on leashes whenever in a common space, and adhere to whatever issued pet guidelines there may be. Setting up these rules not only keeps the property safe but also enhances the chances of the clients having a good time in the premises.
Conclusion
The hospitality industry can be changed for the better by introducing pets into the equation. By introducing the Pet Friendly Serviced Accommodation, you will be in the unique position of appealing to the market of pet owners more as they are always searching for places that are warm and friendly for their pets. With the right preparations from setting clear policies to providing essential amenities and ensuring safety, it is possible to have an environment that pets and owners will enjoy.
For serious developers who are bent on effecting outstanding guest experience, this investment will definitely be worth the returns as most guests will leave positive reviews and boost bookings. So take the measures to make it possible to host a site targeting Pet lovers and enjoy the benefits therein.
