TripAdvisor(R), the world's largest travel community, today announced the results of its annual traveling with pets survey of more than 1,600 travelers. Among people that own pets, 61 percent have traveled with a pet and 17 percent said the number one reason they travel with their pet(s) is they enjoy spending vacation with them. Sixty-five percent of survey respondents own a pet.

  (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080724/NETH039 )

  Pets and Petrol

The high cost of fuel is even impacting our furry friends. Travelers may be less likely to see Sparky hanging out the window of a car, as 20 percent of pet owners said they are less likely to travel with their pet(s) this summer because of the high cost of fuel. Eighty-five percent of pet owners said that when traveling with a pet, they typically travel by car.

Pet Predicament

Although many people like to travel with their pet(s), there are concerns. Twenty-five percent of pet owners cited animal stress as their biggest concern about traveling with a pet and 23 percent said the fact that no one can look after their pet while they are sightseeing/touring is their biggest concern.

Pooches and Planes

Forty-seven percent of people said it sometimes annoys them when they see people bringing pets on planes. The top reason (39 percent) those travelers said it is annoying is they believe it is cruel to subject an animal to a flight, 23 percent said pets are loud, and 18 percent cited pet allergies. Six percent of pet owners have obtained a pet passport.

In the Dog House

Forty-four percent of travelers think hotels should be more accommodating for pets, which is down four percent from last year. Among pet owners, 24 percent would most like to see hoteliers provide a pet-sitting service and 17 percent asked for separate housing/hotel kennel. Fifty-six percent of all travelers do not think there are any pet-friendly hotel chains.

Whisker Withdrawal

Thirty-two percent of pet owners take shorter vacations and 21 percent take fewer vacations, down from 25 percent last year, to limit the time they are away from their pet(s). Twelve percent of pet owners said their pet prevents them from going on vacation. Six percent of people indicated they would be interested in renting a pet while traveling.

Doggie Diggs

Paws pads are a priority when traveling with a pet, as 46 percent of pet owners said they will only stay at accommodations that are pet friendly. This attitude was especially strong among dog owners (58 percent.) Thirty-eight percent of respondents with a pet said they would pay more to stay somewhere that is pet friendly. For the second straight year, Best Western is the most pet-friendly hotel chain according to the survey.

"For many people, a pet is a member of the family and leaving them home is not an option," said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. "As it's clear there is a demand for pet-friendly accommodations, look for more and more hotels to add pet amenities."

  TripAdvisor's Top 10 Pet-Friendly Accommodations
  1.  Gazebo Inn Ogunquit, Ogunquit, Maine - Average nightly rate: $164

2. TierraLinda Bed and Breakfast, Galena, Illinois - Average nightly rate: $135

3. The Sleepy Dog Guest House, Bisbee, Arizona - Average nightly rate: $95

4. Spruce Moose Lodge and Cottages, North Conway, New Hampshire - Average nightly rate: $124

5. Brittania and W.E. Mauger Estate Bed and Breakfast, Albuquerque, New Mexico - Average nightly rate: $127

6. Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, San Simeon, California - Average nightly rate: $210

7. La Quinta Inn and Suites Madison American Center, Madison, Wisconsin - Average nightly rate: $124

  8.  Hotel Marlowe, Cambridge, Massachusetts - Average nightly rate: $316
  9.  Hotel Monaco, Denver, Colorado - Average nightly rate: $289
  10. The Paw House Inn: West Rutland, Vermont - Average nightly rate: $225


  About TripAdvisor Media Network

TripAdvisor(R) Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts nearly 32 million monthly visitors* across 12 popular travel brands, TripAdvisor(R), www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com and www.virtualtourist.com. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with 24 million monthly visitors*, six million registered members and 15 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover 300,000+ hotels and attractions and operate in the U.S. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/), the U.K. (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/), Ireland (http://www.tripadvisor.ie/), France (http://www.tripadvisor.fr/), Germany (http://www.tripadvisor.de/), Italy (http://www.tripadvisor.it/), and Spain (http://www.tripadvisor.es/). TripAdvisor(R) Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. .

TripAdvisor is a registered trademark of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix, May 2008

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SOURCE: TripAdvisor LLC