Benidorm exhibits its offer ‘dog-friendly’, a segment that adds more than 7 million annual travellers

Benidorm exhibits these days at the International Tourism Fair of Madrid (Fitur) its 'dog-friendly' offer, “one of the fastest growing tourist segments and that adds more than 7 million annual travelers in Spain alone”, as indicated the mayor, Toni Pérez. To give visibility to this offer, Benidorm has published a new specific brochure on ‘dog-friendly’ tourism in which all the necessary information is collected for those travelers who want to visit the destination accompanied by their pets.

The mayor presented this guide this morning, edited by Visit Benidorm and Dog Vivant, accompanied by Elena Fernández, director of the firm. A guide that includes information such as what means of transport allow traveling with animals; how to get around Benidorm with public transport; different routes and urban walks to know the destination; and the city's pet recreation areas.

The brochure also includes a link to consult the hotel and hotel establishments ‘dog-friendly’; as well as veterinary clinics and different canine services available to Benidorm. In addition, the booklet incorporates general regulations and articles of the Municipal Environmental Ordinance referring to the possession of animals and obligations of the owners; and a list of the canine beaches located in municipalities near Benidorm.

During the presentation of this guide, which is also available in digital format, Toni Pérez has indicated that “this segment constitutes an opportunity for the tourism sector, something that the local business community has already detected since Benidorm is the city of the Valencian Community with more 'dog-friendly'. " Specifically, according to a HomeToGo study, 16.51% of Benidorm's tourist accommodation is ‘dog-friendly’.

The mayor has indicated that “the latest studies and reports, such as the one prepared last year by Dog Vivant, reveal that tourists traveling with their pets spend 23% more than the average number of travelers, and that their average stays are at five nights. " In addition, beach and coast destinations "are the first option for 36% of people who plan to travel with their pets."

"In our case," he stressed, "it is not about opening up to a new tourism product, because the sector has been working for years, but rather putting value on that offer that we already have - and that we are sure will continue to increase - and make it known among those tourists, mainly nationals, who travel at least once a year with their pets and who may not have considered the option of traveling to Benidorm because they were unaware of the possibilities offered by the city in the 'dog-friendly' field ”.

For his part, Elena Fernández has pointed out “Benidorm's commitment to dog tourism is a commitment to the future, specialization and new markets, as well as support to the private sector, which reinforces the businesses that are already ' dog-friendly 'and encourages to join new ones ”. For Dog Vivant it is "a pride" to accompany the city "on this road" towards the "continuous improvement of the‘ dog friendly 'offer, so that more and more families can discover and enjoy Benidorm destination ".