South Korea is witnessing a significant rise in the number of lodging facilities and tourism infrastructure that cater to travelers who wish to bring their pets along. This proactive approach from the domestic tourism industry and local governments is in response to the increasing demand from tourists who want to travel with their companion animals.
Sources within the tourism industry have revealed that Sono International Co., the operator of Daemyung Sono Hotels and Resorts, has taken steps to accommodate pets. They have recently introduced pet-friendly food and beverage (F&B) venues at their resorts. This move allows companion animals at 10 F&B establishments located across various provinces including Gangwon, South Jeolla, and South Gyeongsang.
To adhere to regulations, F&B establishments that permit animals must have designated areas for pets separate from those used by people. Sono International received approval for special demonstration cases under a regulatory sandbox from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. This allows guests to bring their pets to F&B facilities.
The initiative is limited to dogs and cats that have been vaccinated against rabies, with fierce dogs being prohibited. The decision to make their venues pet-friendly stemmed from the challenges faced by pet owners when traveling. A survey by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) highlighted the lack of accommodations, restaurants, cafes, and tourist spots accepting companion animals as major inconveniences while traveling with pets.
The surge in the number of companion animals and increasing government support are driving the expansion of pet-friendly tourism infrastructure. A survey by the KB Financial Group Research Institute indicated that the country has 5.5 million households with 12.6 million companion animals, accounting for a quarter of the population.
In a bid to stimulate provincial economies and create a pet-friendly tourism environment, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and KTO launched the “pet-friendly tourism city” contest. Ulsan and Taean County were selected as the two local governments for the project, aiming to enhance tourism experiences for travelers with pets.
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