Pet-friendly travel demand on upswing

Data from online accommodation platform Tujia.com show that bookings for homestays labeled as "pet-friendly" during the five-day May Day holiday in 2025 rose more than 80 percent from a year earlier, while the number of such listings on the platform increased fivefold. Industry participants say the momentum has continued into 2026 as more travelers seek accommodations that allow pets.

The trend reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior as younger Chinese view pets less as animals and more as companions integrated into their daily lives.

"We see pet-inclusive travel as a structural trend rather than a short-term fad," said Kathy Jiang, a partner expert at consultancy Roland Berger. "It is driven by the growing perception of pets as family members and the consumption upgrade among younger pet owners."

China's tourism industry is now moving from simply allowing pets in certain venues toward actively designing services around them, Jiang said, although standards and supporting facilities remain uneven.

China's broader pet economy provides a powerful backdrop. The 2026 China Pet Industry White Paper (Consumer Report) said the number of pet dogs and cats in the country's urban areas exceeded 120 million, with the market for pet-related consumption reaching about 312.6 billion yuan ($45.92 billion) in 2025. The market is expected to expand further to 405 billion yuan by 2028.

The report found that 71 percent of pet owners expressed interest in traveling with their animals, and about half had already paid for pet-related travel services.

Tourism operators say the change is already visible in bookings. At the Hu Resort in Beijing, which began developing pet-friendly services in 2019, demand has risen sharply in recent years. Shang Li, the resort's marketing manager, said inquiries, visitor numbers and bookings for pet-friendly rooms during this year's May Day holiday all doubled from a year earlier.

Shang said most guests traveling with pets are young urban professionals aged 25 to 40, who treat their animals as family members and typically seek short leisure breaks in suburban destinations.

Compared with ordinary guests, these travelers often stay longer, return more frequently and spend more on dining and other services, she added.

Travel agencies are experimenting with niche offerings. Outdoor travel platform Youxiake.com launched a pet travel brand in 2024, offering short-distance hiking and holiday itineraries designed for travelers with pets.

Li Yunzi, the company's general manager, said professional pet travel involves far more than simply allowing animals to join a trip.

"It means designing the experience from a pet's perspective rather than treating them as passive companions," Li said in an interview with The Economic Observer, noting that routes are screened to ensure suitable terrain, rest stops and outdoor space for dogs.