For a lot of vacationers, evaluating their very own wants is just a part of the method, each in deciding on lodging and in touring to their vacation spot. The happiness and well being of pets whereas on the street is an rising precedence, a lot in order that they’re turning into key components for vacationers all through their journey. BARK Air‘s 2026 State of Pet Journey Report highlighted this pattern and located that pets are an important a part of the holiday planning course of. Past conventional pet-friendly choices, many friends count on extra luxurious choices for his or her furry mates. LODGING lately spoke with BARK Air President Michael Novotny, who mentioned rising developments in pet journey and offered perception into the way it might proceed to evolve.
The State of Pet Journey report discovered that pet consolation is a vital luxurious for vacationers, with dad and mom prioritizing their pets’ consolation and emotional well-being. Why is that so vital to pet dad and mom?
BARK Air’s viewers is vacationers who contemplate their canine household, so making certain their consolation is essential, particularly when touring. In line with APPA [American Pet Products Association], 88 % of pet house owners have traveled with their canine prior to now 12 months, the place canine are generally thought of an afterthought. Now, pet dad and mom are looking for companies the place canine are the precedence.
BARK Air lately partnered with HigherDOSE to launch unique wellness companies at home BARK Air airport lounges. Is Bark Air inquisitive about doubtlessly bringing these companies to resorts?
Sure, the following section of BARK Air brings our dog-first method to the bottom, powering customized pet experiences for resort companions. We simply introduced a partnership with Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, and Embark Past to launch a retreat collection in March and Might 2026, together with a curated itinerary with actions like a dog-friendly beachside welcome luau and morning swims on the BARK Seashore Membership. That is an thrilling second in our evolution from an airline to a holistic dog-first hospitality model, and it’s solely the start.
BARK Air’s pet journey report confirmed that 94 % of vacationers are keen to forgo conventional facilities, like a resort bar, for a keep that correctly welcomes their pet. What are some ways in which properties can stand out with their pet-friendly choices, past the fundamentals?
Motels have a chance to face out by going above and past a mattress and bowl in-room. Providers like canine strolling, canine sitting, and specialised programming can additional enrich and customise a resort expertise for each canine and their people. For our resort companions, the Bark Comfortable staff serves as an extension of visitor companies, managing the pup consumption course of to customise stays additional based mostly on dietary and socialization preferences—related to what’s already achieved with people within the luxurious journey area.
What are the advantages of BARK Air’s new Companion Concierge?
BARK Air’s Companion Concierge is pushed by a mission to make pet journey extra accessible than ever earlier than, providing a low-barrier entry level for aspirational vacationers desirous to extra seamlessly discover the world with their canine. Whereas concierge companies for BARK Air passengers have lengthy been a cornerstone of the expertise, the Companion Concierge is a standalone service now out there to all canine vacationers throughout all airways, not simply BARK Air passengers. The Companion Concierge can handle worldwide paperwork, coordinate complicated journey logistics, and supply expertly crafted itineraries that includes resorts, villas, eating places, and experiences that cater to canine.
What are some methods you hope to reinforce/enhance the service?
Shifting ahead, we’re working to make use of the Companion Concierge to assist resorts elevate their dog-friendly choices and construct a brand new trade benchmark for his or her canine friends. The objective is for the BARK Comfortable staff to be an extension of resort companions’ visitor companies staff to deal with customized pre-arrival consumption, create customized itineraries together with restaurant reservations or vet suggestions, or help with canine strolling/sitting/grooming.
Is it honest to say that vacationers are more and more prioritizing the consolation of their pets? If that’s the case, what do you suppose is driving this alteration, and the way do you see it persevering with to evolve?
Completely. Now greater than ever, pet dad and mom are prioritizing the consolation of their pets when touring. This comes on account of an elevated variety of vacationers looking for out pet-friendly experiences to share their travels with their canine, relatively than leaving them behind. One in all our shoppers is a canine who developed extreme trauma after a cargo flight, to the purpose that the canine wanted specialised coaching to get well. Because of BARK Air, that canine is now in a position to journey with out worry and anxiousness. This goes to point out that dog-first journey experiences are a necessity, and we see the trade persevering with to evolve by introducing new and typically surprising methods to cater to pets like HigherDOSE’s new Infrared PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Area) Pet Mattress, which we characteristic in our LA and NY BARK Air lounges.
