Images related to pet travel. Photo = Getty Image Bank Mr. Kim, an office worker in his 30s who is planning a trip with his dog this weekend, plans to leave downtown Seoul and go to Taean, South Chungcheong Province. Taean, which promotes itself as a ‘pet-friendly tourist city,’ is considered a popular travel destination among dog owners as it has many dog-friendly accommodations and easy to find restaurants that allow dogs.
Mr. Kim said, “When traveling with your dog, you need to prepare by taking into account not only accommodations and restaurants, but also people’s negative opinions. I am leaving for Taean because I think the local residents will respond well as it is a pet tourism-friendly city.”
According to the industry on the 25th, the number of people raising companion animals in Korea was estimated at 15 million as of last year. As the ratio of the fostering population increases, the demand for travel with pets is also increasing. As a result of the Korea Tourism Organization’s survey on travel experiences with pets (hereinafter multiple responses), the proportion of people who answered ‘I have experience traveling on a day trip’ increased by 4.4 points from 65.7% in 2022 to 70.1% this year. ‘Accommodation travel experience’ also increased from 53% to 60.5%.
An industry insider said, “As the demand for travel with pets increases, the government and local governments are operating recommended travel destinations and support programs,” and added, “If you have not yet decided on a travel destination, it would be helpful to take advantage of these.”
Local governments are rushing to come up with promotions for travelers with pets. Some places provide support for travel expenses. The Korea Tourism Organization is currently holding a mission tour event in pet-friendly tourist cities such as Ulsan, Taean, Pocheon, and Suncheon. If you visit two or more major tourist attractions in each region and complete simple missions, you will receive a souvenir. Taean is also holding a separate ‘Petness Mission Tour’ that provides travel expenses of up to 100,000 won to 100 teams of travelers with pets.
Ulsan will be holding the ‘Ulsan Pet Tourism Festival’ from this day to the 27th. As it was selected as the first pet-friendly tourist city in a metropolitan city, the purpose is to establish it as a tourist city with pets. Pet travel and pet camping programs will also be held on the 26th and 27th.
Some local governments provide support for transportation costs. Jeju Island has been carrying out a support project for tourists specializing in sea routes with the Jeju Tourism Association since last March. When traveling with pets on a round trip by sea, 30,000 won per person is provided. Advance applications are accepted until the 29th of next month, and if the prepared budget is exhausted, it will close early.
<img src="https://img.hankyung.com/photo/202410/06.38430686.1.jpg" alt="Images related to dog travel. Photo = Getty Image Bank”/>
Images related to dog travel. Photo = Getty Image Bank The purpose of increasing the tourist population was reflected in the local government’s efforts to attract travelers with pets. This is because the demand for companion travel among ‘pet families (pet + family)’, who regard their pets as family, has increased and they are actively opening their wallets for travel. According to the Korea Tourism Organization’s 2022 study on ways to promote travel with pets, travelers with pets spend 3.7 times more on the same day and 2.2 times more on trips of one night or more than regular travelers.
Pet owners agree that it is important to have an environment where they can enjoy their pets without worrying about the added cost. This is because you have to pay attention to even the harsh gaze of non-companions. This is why pet-friendly tourist cities selected by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization are popular with dog owners.
An industry official said, “It is welcome that the number of travel destinations where pet owners can visit with peace of mind is increasing,” and added, “Improving social awareness of travel where both pet owners and non-pet owners can happily coexist is more important than anything else.” said.
Shin Yong-hyun, Hankyung.com reporter yonghyun@hankyung.com
