Pets are no longer tagging along on holidays, they’re shaping them. New data from Booking.com, released ahead of International Pet Day on April 11, suggests that Indian travellers are increasingly building their trips around their pets, from where they stay to how they get there.
The shift is visible at a global level. In 2025, searches for pet-friendly accommodation on Booking.com climbed to nearly 15 million, including 2.3 million from the Asia-Pacific region, making it one of the platform’s top 10 filters. At the same time, global consumer spending on pets reached roughly $157 billion by the end of the year, according to data cited by Booking.com from Capital One Shopping.
In India, this translates into a clear ‘pet-first’ approach to travel planning. Booking.com’s Travel Trends 2026 research shows that pets are now a primary consideration rather than an afterthought. Travellers are no longer choosing between hotels and rentals based on format alone — 62% say they are open to hotels, while 61% are equally willing to stay in vacation rentals or apartments — indicating that pet-friendly policies often drive the final decision.
Even as pets take centre stage, practical concerns continue to shape behaviour. Close to half (47%) of Indian travellers say they leave their pets behind at their accommodation while heading out, highlighting the importance of facilities and services that can support pets in their absence.
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The influence of pets extends well beyond accommodation into the itinerary itself. According to the data, 48% of Indian pet parents opted for nature hikes in rural areas or parks while travelling with their pets, while 59% chose sightseeing in pet-friendly city centres or towns. Dining and leisure choices are also being shaped accordingly, with 64% visiting dog-friendly patios, restaurants or breweries, and an equal proportion seeking out pet-friendly beaches or swimming areas.
Travel, too, is being reimagined. A significant 93% of Indian travellers surveyed said they prefer flexible road trips, a choice that Booking.com links to the ease of travelling with pets and the flexibility such journeys offer.
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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
