Evcil Hayvan Dostu Konaklama İşletmesi Yöneticilerinin Evcil Hayvan Kabul Politikaları: Balıkesir Örneği (Pet-Friendly Accommodation Business Managers’ Pet Acceptance Policies: A Survey in Balıkesir)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63556/jotags.2026.1866Keywords:
Pet-owning customer, Pet-friendly hotel, Pet acceptance policies, BalıkesirAbstract
In recent years, the increasing number of pet owners in the worldwide, including in our country, has increased the need for pet hotels. People who want to stay in hotels during their holidays want to take their pets with them, but when they encounter the hotels' "no pets allowed" policies, they may even give up on their holiday plans or experience serious problems regarding where to leave their pet. The aim of the study is to identify the policies of pet-friendly hotel managers in Balıkesir. Research data was collected between July and September 2025 from 19 facility managers among 28 pet-friendly hotels in Balıkesir listed on the “patilioteller.com” website. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with hotel managers using a semi-structured interview form during the data collection process. The data were analyzed using the MAXQDA software package. The research results reveal that the policies implemented in hotels to meet customer expectations are based on customer satisfaction, customer expectations, business expectations, pet acceptance criteria, and marketing. Furthermore, the study revealed that accepting pets increases customer satisfaction, creates an animal-friendly image for hotels and makes them a preferred choice which is used in marketing strategies, and indirectly increases sales, occupancy, and profitability. The research findings are expected to guide pet-owning visitors, pet-friendly accommodation businesses, and stakeholders in policy making.
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