Pets are no longer just companions on vacations; they are now central to the travel experience. Recent findings from Booking.com, released in anticipation of International Pet Day on April 11, indicate that Indian travelers are increasingly designing their trips around their pets, from accommodations to transportation.
This trend is evident on a global scale. By 2025, searches for pet-friendly lodging on Booking.com surged to nearly 15 million, with 2.3 million from the Asia-Pacific region, placing it among the site’s top 10 filters. Simultaneously, global pet-related spending reached approximately $157 billion by year-end, according to Booking.com’s data sourced from Capital One Shopping.
In India, this manifests as a distinctly ‘pet-first’ approach in travel planning. Booking.com’s Travel Trends 2026 report reveals that pets are now a primary focus rather than an afterthought. Travelers are not just selecting hotels or rentals based on type—62% are open to hotels, while 61% are equally interested in vacation rentals or apartments—illustrating that pet-friendly policies frequently influence their final choices.
Despite the focus on pets, practical issues still play a significant role. Nearly half (47%) of Indian travelers report leaving their pets at their accommodations when venturing out, underscoring the need for facilities and services that cater to pets during their absence.
Also Read | 11:11 Weekend | Kid-friendly destinations, travel alert and the art of functional eating
The impact of pets extends beyond where travelers stay to the activities they choose. Data shows that 48% of Indian pet owners preferred nature hikes in rural areas or parks while traveling with their pets, whereas 59% opted for sightseeing in pet-friendly urban centers. Dining and leisure activities reflect this trend, with 64% visiting dog-friendly patios, restaurants, or breweries, and an equal number seeking pet-friendly beaches or swimming spots.
Travel itself is also evolving. A remarkable 93% of surveyed Indian travelers indicated a preference for adaptable road trips, a choice that Booking.com associates with the convenience of traveling with pets and the freedom these journeys provide.
Also Read: Travelling to Central Asia: You can now make payments using UPI
(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
