TripAdvisor, in collaboration with My Dog, has launched a new digital hub designed to connect pet owners with a variety of pet-friendly travel options, including city guides, travel tips, and an AI trip builder for creating pet-friendly itineraries.

This hub aims to inspire travelers to explore pet-friendly communities and showcases a diverse range of accommodations, from urban settings to luxury five-star hotels.

Scott Wegener, TripAdvisor's sales director, highlighted that nearly 30% of accommodations listed on their platform are pet-friendly, amounting to around 20,000 options available across Australia.

Australia boasts one of the highest pet ownership rates globally, with nearly 70% of households owning about 28 million pets, which significantly drives the demand for pet-friendly holidays.

Research shows that over half of Australian pet owners plan to travel with their pets within the next year, indicating a growing trend in pet-inclusive travel.

Demand for pet-friendly holidays is on the rise, with TripAdvisor reporting a 10% increase in searches for dog-friendly restaurants and a 22% increase for pet-friendly accommodations in early 2025.

Stacey Pinchbeck, a pet owner, compared Australia's pet travel culture unfavorably to that of Los Angeles, where it is common for dogs to accompany their owners in restaurants and hotels.

Pinchbeck also shared her personal challenges in finding suitable accommodations for her two golden retrievers, emphasizing the need for more pet-friendly options and amenities in Australia.

Top pet-friendly destinations in Australia include locations such as Rye in Victoria, Rainbow Beach in Queensland, Mudgee in New South Wales, Robe in South Australia, and Dunsborough in Western Australia.

Wegener noted that pet-friendly accommodations are not limited to rural and beachside options but also include inner-city properties, catering to a wide range of travelers.