For many, dogs are less like pets and more like important members of the family. They’re best friends and constant companions, helping cultivate love, warmth, and joy. And, according to the data, no one likes to leave their four-legged family members behind when they travel.

The number of guests traveling with dogs is increasing year over year. According to a recent TripAdvisor survey, 53% of pet owners take their furry friends with them when they hit the road. However, only 25% of vacation rentals are willing to accommodate pet owners. With so many guests searching for dog-friendly rentals, switching over may be the competitive edge you need to earn more.

Read on to learn about the benefits of becoming a dog-friendly Northern Michigan Escapes rental.

Fast facts:

  1. 64% of dog owners plan accommodations for trips specifically so they can bring their pups.*
  2. 61% choose trip destinations with their dogs in mind.
  3. 53% of dog owners would pay an extra $100 or more to ensure pet-friendly accommodations.
  4. 61% of pet owners consider vacation homes to be the most pet-friendly accommodation option.
  5. Only 25% of vacation homes allow pets—and most of those homes are concentrated in Florida and the Oregon coast.
  6. On average, homes that allow pets have 10–20% higher rental income and higher occupancy than those that don’t.

You’ll earn more

Allowing pets on your property means your potential customer base increases, which in turn leads to higher occupancy rates. We analyzed data points across our booking partners and found that homes allowing dogs had higher rental income and higher occupancy than those that don’t—on average 10–20% higher.

You’ll encourage repeat vacations

Between paying someone to feed, walk, and check on their dog daily, leaving pets behind can be costly for owners—not to mention the anxiety and stress of separation. By providing dog-friendly accommodations, you're allowing guests to create memories with the whole family—which encourages repeat visits.

Your home won’t know the difference

Worried about your rental going to the dogs, so to speak? You can rest easy: Our housekeepers are well-trained in cleaning up after pets and will keep your home sparkling clean. More importantly, we compared guest reviews of dog-friendly and non-dog-friendly Northern Michigan Escapes homes and found zero difference in cleanliness or property condition scores.

You’ll boost off-season occupancy

When it comes to slow travel seasons in your area, being pet-friendly pays. We found that occupancy rates are exceptionally high for dog-friendly homes during the off-season.

In our experience, guests book more last-minute trips in the off-season. With a small window between booking and the stay, it may be harder to find a dog sitter. And since there’s less competition for pet-friendly homes this time of year, guests are able to both book the perfect home and bring their pet.

Pet friendliness affects peak season as well. During seasons when market demand is high, pet-friendly homes’ calendars book up earlier than average. With such high demand for great homes that allow pets, and with so few of these homes available on the market, going pet-friendly can give you a nice boost in revenue.

About Northern Michigan Escapes pet fee

Northern Michigan Escapes collects a small nightly fee on dog-friendly homes. While this fee doesn't go directly to you, it goes back to your home, covering operational costs such as additional cleaning to keep your review scores high, extra customer service, pet supplies, and marketing.

"We'd like to help you determine whether or not to make your home pet-friendly in conjunction with our property management partner, Northern Michigan EscapesSend us a message or give us a call at 231.459-3179 to learn more today."

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