Dog-friendly holidays in the spotlight: trends, figures, and sustainable accommodation concepts
For most dog owners, one thing is clear: no trip without their dog. This often marks the beginning of a (lengthy) search for dog-friendly accommodations. However, in an era of growing awareness of climate change, environmental protection, and social justice, animal-friendliness is no longer the sole deciding factor in booking a stay. Dog-friendly and sustainable hotels are therefore becoming increasingly important: they demonstrate that traveling responsibly with pets is not only possible, but easy.
Figures, trends, and potentials
For most dog owners, their four-legged friends are an integral part of the family—even on vacation. According to a 2024 report by TUI1 based on statistical surveys, around 12.47 million people in Germany live with a dog, and 89.5 percent regularly take their pet with them on vacation. Two-thirds of them cannot imagine traveling without their dog. Additionally, a Booking.com survey2 shows that 43% of German dog owners specifically choose destinations considered particularly dog-friendly, and nearly one-third only book accommodations that allow dogs. Booking.com search queries underscore this popularity: Around 7.74 million searches for pet-friendly accommodations were made on the platform worldwide in 2024.
These figures illustrate the strong influence of animal friendliness and love for one's own dog on travel behavior: from destination and accommodation choice to trip length and budget. (Nearly one-third of those surveyed said they would spend over EUR 1,000 on a long weekend abroad if they could bring their dog.) Additionally, many travelers with dogs prefer regions close to nature and shorter travel distances, so they tend to stay within Europe.
This creates multiple opportunities for sustainable hotels: They can fulfill the desire for animal-friendly, nature-oriented offerings while minimizing the trip's ecological footprint.
Dog-friendly and sustainable hotels in Europe
Mountain air and pure nature at the Hotel Klosterbräu (Seefeld, Austria)
At Hotel Klosterbräu, warm Tyrolean hospitality, a sustainable concept, and a genuine love for dogs come together. The host family, who are dog owners themselves, have created numerous offerings for our four-legged friends: cozy dog beds and bowls in the room, access to a private terrace and garden (subject to availability), an extra dog menu, and spacious outdoor areas. Just behind the hotel is a 150,000-square-meter private natural area where dogs can run freely. A dog-sitting service (for an additional fee) allows guests to relax and enjoy wellness treatments or a nice dinner.
A vacation at the foot of the Matterhorn at the Hotel Bella Vista (Zermatt, Switzerland)
The family-run Hotel Bella Vista welcomes dogs and provides them with a bed and a bowl in their room. Due to its proximity to hiking trails and the forest, the hotel offers varied routes for short walks as well as longer tours. Particularly convenient: in car-free Zermatt, dogs can ride the mountain railways free of charge, providing flexibility for alpine excursions. For their owners, the Bella Vista offers homemade regional delicacies, a wellness area, and yoga classes with a view of the Matterhorn.
A green city break with a dog at Hotel Luise (Franconian Switzerland, Germany)
The Hotel Luise in Erlangen is ideal for dog owners looking to combine a city break with an outdoor adventure. After enjoying a zero-waste breakfast, guests can easily reach the hiking region of Franconian Switzerland, the old town, and the castle park. Pets are more than welcome at the hotel. However, out of consideration for other guests, certain areas such as the spa or breakfast room are off-limits to pets. Incidentally, the Hotel Luise is a pioneer in sustainable hospitality, impressing guests with its "renewable hotel rooms" based on the Cradle to Cradle® principle, well-thought-out energy concepts, and numerous other sustainable measures.
Between meadows and forests at Hotel Okelmann's (Warpe, Germany)
At the Eco Hotel Okelmann's, both people and dogs feel equally welcome and comfortable. Whenever possible, guests with dogs are given a room with direct access to the garden, which has an outdoor shower for washing off muddy paws. Towels are also made available at reception for this purpose. Bowls, a blanket, and a welcome treat are all part of the service, as is a concept store in the dog-friendly Café Heimatliebe with handmade items for two- and four-legged friends. The hotel also offers yoga and singing bowl massages with dogs.
A mountain vacation at Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa (Berchtesgadener Land, Germany)
Guests are welcome to bring their dogs to the four-star superior wellness hotel Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa. Special rooms are available upon reservation for this purpose. Each room is equipped with a bowl and blanket for your four-legged friend. A dog shower in the parking lot makes it easy to clean your dog after excursions. To maintain a balance between relaxation for other guests and animal friendliness, dogs are not allowed in the spa, restaurant, or sunbathing lawn. However, upon request, guests with dogs are welcome to have dinner in the bar – accompanied by their four-legged friends.
Experiencing the Black Forest at SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA (Bad Herrenalb, Germany)
This wellness and health hotel in the spa town of Bad Herrenalb offers "dog friend" rooms equipped with bowls, blankets, and welcome treats. The focus here is clear: experiencing nature together with your pet. There are hiking trails in the immediate vicinity, and the area's many streams, as well as a nearby quarry pond with a dog beach, make it a worthwhile destination even in summer. The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA is a Bioland Gold-certified hotel actively committed to greater sustainability in tourism. This commitment includes developing a Cradle-to-Cradle® room concept and engaging with the local community.
Italian flair at Relais del Maro (Borgomaro, Italy)
At Relais del Maro, dogs receive a welcome kit containing treats, a mat, and a bowl; a cooling mat is also available to borrow on hot days. Dogs are allowed to accompany their owners almost everywhere in the hotel except the pool area. The surrounding area has numerous hiking trails through Liguria's mountainous hinterland. During the off-season, the nearby beaches are ideal for long walks.
A vacation by the sea at Hotel Korinjak (Island of Iž, Croatia)
The vegetarian-vegan Hotel Korinjak is located in pristine nature on a small Croatian island near Zadar and welcomes dogs with open arms. Here, the focus is on consciously experiencing nature through activities like hiking along the coast and through the Mediterranean landscape, swimming in the sea, and taking quiet breaks in the shade of pine trees. The on-site team ensures that dogs and their owners feel completely at home.
A vacation that makes people, dogs, and the environment happy
Sustainable vacations with dogs are straightforward and enriching. The Green Pearls® network demonstrates how hotels can be pet-friendly, offer nature experiences, and promote environmental awareness to meet the needs of travelers with dogs.