Pets

There’s a quiet revolution happening in India’s travel landscape — one that doesn’t just involve humans with suitcases, but furry co-pilots with wagging tails and curious whiskers. Pets are no longer left behind when families embark on vacations or trips; they’re being packed into cars, carried on flights, and included in holiday itineraries the way newborns once were. But while demand is skyrocketing all across the world, India’s hospitality industry is a tad slow… and is still catching up — and here’s why Sumita Chakraborty, Founder & Editor-in-chief, TheGlitz believes that the time has come for a pet-friendly makeover in India.

The Rise of the Pet-Inclusive Traveller

Just a few years ago, pet travel was a niche pursuit, an afterthought in an industry focused almost exclusively on human comfort. Fast forward to 2025, and that picture has changed dramatically. Bookings for pet-friendly hotel stays in India have shot up by roughly 43% compared to the previous year, according to industry data… and travel platforms like MakeMyTrip and Airbnb are reporting double-digit growth in pet-inclusive accommodation requests. Many Indians too have jumped onto the bandwagon. In fact, about 11% of Indian travellers now plan holidays with their pets, more than double the share seen just a year earlier.

This surge reflects a broader shift in how families view pets … not as optional companions but as full-fledged members whose comfort and happiness matter on vacation just as much as anyone else’s.

Current Options: Progress — but Not Enough

Though the trend worldwide over is gaining momentum, India, despite being one of the biggest Asian countries having pets, is a bit slow to catch up with this global lifestyle change. Yes, select luxury and boutique hotels in metro cities have begun opening their doors to pets. In fact, traditional Indian hospitality brands, including some big names, have quietly rolled out friendly initiatives for our furry friends, offering outdoor play areas, “vets on call,” and even curated pet stays in scenic leisure destinations.

The Della Rule

The spectacular DELLA Resorts & Adventure, however, truly believes that pet-friendly hospitality should go beyond token gestures or kennel-based allowances and instead recognise pets as integral members of the family. The visionary Founder and Chairman, DELLA Resorts & Adventure, the very dynamic Jimmy Mistry avers, “At DELLA Resorts, we strongly believe that pet-friendly hospitality cannot be an afterthought or a token gesture. In India, most so-called pet-friendly hotels stop at kennel arrangements or basic allowances — which, in my view, defeats the very spirit of companionship and emotional bonding between humans and their pets.

“Pets are family. And Experiential hospitality, at its core, is about welcoming families in their entirety.

“India needs more genuinely pet-friendly hotels because pets today play a vital role in emotional wellness, mental health, and stress management. Travel, leisure, and even work-life balance are evolving, and hospitality must evolve alongside these changes. Separating pets into kennels while owners holiday sends the wrong message — it creates anxiety for the pet and guilt for the owner.

“At DELLA Resorts, our approach is experience-led, not rule-led. We have consciously designed pet-friendly rooms, open landscapes, walking trails, and outdoor environments where pets can coexist naturally with their owners — safely, comfortably, and with dignity. The idea is not just to allow pets, but to celebrate them as part of the guest experience.

“True pet-friendly hospitality should include:

• Clear etiquette guidelines to ensure harmony between pet owners and other guests

• Trained staff who understand pet behaviour and needs

• A mindset shift — from “permission” to “acceptance”

“As India aspires to become a global tourism destination, we must align with global hospitality standards where pet-inclusive travel is already a norm. This is not a niche trend; it is a reflection of a more empathetic, evolved society.

“At DELLA Resorts, we see pet-friendly Experiential hospitality as an extension of our larger philosophy — creating environments that enhance quality of life, emotional well-being, and meaningful experiences for every member of the family, including the four-legged ones.

“I truly appreciate TheGlitz.Media for driving awareness on this subject, and I hope this conversation encourages the hospitality industry to move beyond kennels and towards more compassionate, inclusive design.”

The “real” hero of the industry, actor Sonu Sood agrees. He too feels that as travel and lifestyles evolve, pets play an increasingly important role in emotional wellness and mental health, making their inclusion in travel experiences essential rather than optional. Truly inclusive hospitality should be experience-led, not rule-bound — with thoughtfully designed spaces where pets and owners can coexist naturally, safely and with dignity.

More Challenges

But for most pet parents, the reality on the ground remains challenging. Many properties still charge heavy “pet fees,” enforce breed or size limitations, or restrict pets to specific areas. These policies often make planning a peaceful getaway feel like navigating a minefield, especially outside major hubs where pet-friendly options are scarce or nonexistent.

Learn from the World: What Others Are Doing Right

Look beyond India’s borders and you’ll see hospitality concepts that don’t just allow pets, they celebrate them. In US-cities like Dallas, Seattle, and Philadelphia, major hotel brands offer pet-welcoming rooms with zero size restrictions, complimentary beds, treats, and easy access to green spaces for walks.

In Europe, even specialized facilities like the Dog Relais at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport are setting new standards — a full-blown overnight stay for dogs with temperature-controlled floors, private gardens, and relaxing soundscapes so owners can travel stress-free.

These aren’t gimmicks. They’re strategic responses to a global trend: travellers increasingly demand experiences that include their pets, not separate them. Modern hospitality is no longer just about space and service for humans — it’s about thoughtful comfort for every member of the travelling family.

Celebrity fitness icon, Nawaz Modi Singhania avers, “Hospitality at hotels should include pet welcome kits, private dog parks as well as open spaces for them, dog beds, dog treats, dog dining with pet menus, dog spas, dog salons, dog sitting services, dog walking services, even pet concierges to suggest pet recreation & activities!” Though she wryly adds, “But all these facilities have to happen for humans first!”

What India Stands to Gain

For Indian hotels and alternative stays, the implications are huge. Studies show that pet-inclusive travel isn’t just a feel-good fad — it’s a booming market sector. Globally, the pet hostel market alone is projected to grow from around USD 14 billion or approximately 1.16 crores in 2025 to over USD 20 billion (approx 1.72 crore) by 2032, indicating sustained interest in pet-centric hospitality.

In fact, according to an article in the Business Standard, domestic booking trends mirror this pattern: travel agencies and villa networks report year-on-year rises of 25–45% in reservations linked to travelling with pets. Villas and private stays with pet-friendly policies — backed by partnerships with pet care brands — are outperforming properties that remain stubbornly traditional in their approach.

Beyond economics, embracing pet-friendly hospitality also resonates with cultural shifts. Today’s travellers want meaningful experiences that connect them with loved ones — including four-legged companions. When a holiday memory includes your dog chasing waves at the beach or napping by your side in a mountain retreat, that’s not just travel — it’s relief, connection, and joy.

Voices from the Pet Loving Community

Pet parents themselves underline the urgency. Across social platforms, travellers share frustration about the lack of trustworthy pet care and accommodation options when planning trips, with many choosing to limit their own travel rather than leave their pets behind. These candid conversations highlight a reality: without reliable, welcoming options, pets are often the reason families rethink vacation plans altogether.

The Future: Inclusive, Innovative, Irresistible

India’s hospitality industry has a choice. It can continue lagging… offering token pet allowances and half-hearted measures — or it can innovate boldly and redefine hospitality in the Indian context. That means dedicated pet hotels, integrated pet services in mainstream hotels, and thoughtful design that acknowledges pets’ emotional and physical needs as part of the travel experience.

From boutique escapes in scenic destinations to luxury urban stays with dog parks and kitty lounges, the possibilities are as endless as they are rewarding.

TheGlitz truly hopes that the modern travel narrative in India start to evolve and be more inclusive regarding pets — and that the next great hospitality frontier isn’t just travel with pets but travel for pets and their people. For every wagging tail and happy purr, the message is clear: the world is ready — India must be too!