With the growing trend of people treating their furry companions as family members, pet-friendly destinations have surged in popularity worldwide. New Zealand is no exception, witnessing a new surge in pet tourism that is changing the hospitality industry’s landscape and becoming a trail blazer for the future of travel.
Alexandra Diethelm, co-founder of Dogalong, sheds light on the origin of their ground-breaking idea and their journey from a pitch at a TechStars Startup weekend in Marlborough, to its journey now and the future.
“It was in June (2023) both me and my now business partner, Ronald Regan, attended the TechStars Startup weekend in Marlborough. We pitched our idea on a whim, and to our surprise, it garnered overwhelming support and even won us awards,” Alexandra says. “We realized that we were tapping into a real frustration that pet owners face when trying to organize holidays or even day trips with their pets due to uncertainty about rules and regulations.”
As a travel agency for dogs, she says that Dogalong is not just a database of dog-friendly accommodations, walking tracks, and dining venues, but a mission to make every aspect of travel pet-friendly. “Our long-term vision for Dogalong is to fully cover all pet-friendly accommodation places and anything that has to do with managing life with a dog in New Zealand.” says Alexandra.
Echoing in that sentiment is Chris Greening, general manager at QT Hotel, Wellington, who sheds light on their pet-friendly initiative Pup Yeah! that recognised the need to become a dog friendly accommodation.
QT Hotel Wellington’s ongoing initiative, Pup Yeah! offers various amenities for their four-legged guests, from luxurious dog beds, food bowls, and even dedicated menus designed by pet nutritionists, ensuring a comfortable stay for pets and their owners alike, outlined in their pet-friendly terms and conditions.
“We’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback since we started. It’s clear that there’s a growing demand for pet-friendly accommodation options in New Zealand. It has been heartening to witness the joy our guests experience when they can share their vacation with their beloved pets,” says Chris.
As pet owners increasingly prefer to travel with their pets, more businesses are likely to adapt to become more pet-friendly, highlighting the need for businesses to recognise and seize this growing opportunity. Alexandra says Dogalong is the example of an all season service.
“We’re here all year round, not just in peak season. There’s potential for a complementary service during low and shoulder seasons.”
While still in its infancy, Dogalong has plans to extend their services to include dog daycare features in the future.
“Many times, you might want to visit a place where pets aren’t allowed. We’re planning to offer dog walkers or sitters so that your pet doesn’t have to be alone,” says Alexandra. However, she says that this feature isn’t on the website yet, as they continue to focus on expanding their current offerings and refining their platform based on feedback from users.
With businesses like Dogalong and QT Hotel Wellington as examples of tapping into a rapidly growing market. More people are seeking pet-friendly travel options, leading to an increased demand for pet tourism here.
Learn more about Dogalong and dog friendly places and their Facebook Instagram and Tik Tok pages.
