If you’ve been paying attention to pet owners lately, you might’ve noticed a clear shift. Pets are not just pampered at home like little emperors nowadays; they’re also becoming frequent travel companions.

According to the 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper (“《2025年中国宠物行业白皮书》”), the number of pet dogs and cats in China’s urban areas exceeded 120 million in 2024, with the pet consumer market reaching a value of RMB 300.2 billion. This rapid growth has been driven by two major societal trends: an ageing population and an increase in single-person households. Together, they’ve turned pets from mere companions into cherished family members. At the same time, both younger and older consumers are becoming increasingly keen to travel with their furry friends, deepening emotional bonds while enjoying a higher quality of life.

As a result, the move from the “pet economy” to “travelling with pets” has created a huge new market worth hundreds of billions, as well as igniting a rewarding and vibrant lifestyle trend among consumers.

1. Pet Economy: From Companionship to Shared Adventures

The “travelling with pets” trend began gaining real momentum in the second half of 2024. This lifestyle choice of people sharing travel experiences with their pets has demonstrated strong commercial potential, encouraging many businesses to actively enter the space. In major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, leading pet travel companies have launched a wide range of travel packages, ranging from weekend getaways and domestic “staycations” to long-haul international holidays.

In June 2024, iChongYou partnered with multinational company Boehringer Ingelheim to organise China’s first overseas charter flight specifically for owners and their pets. More than 20 dogs and their owners flew to Thailand for a week-long holiday. Meanwhile, Beijing-based Lechong Lexing International Travel Agency has had great success with its “Travel China with Pets” initiative, taking families and their pets to scenic destinations such as Yunnan, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia, receiving very positive feedback from pet owners.

As demand for pet-friendly travel continues to grow, the tourism industry is seeing a surge in travel routes designed with pets in mind. A prime example is the “pet-friendly sailing tour” launched by the Aranya West Port Sailing Centre in Qinhuangdao, which quickly drew an enthusiastic response from pet owners. These types of experiences clearly show that pet-friendly travel is becoming a dynamic new growth driver for the tourism market.

2. A New Cultural Tourism Ecosystem: The Rise of Pet-Friendly Cities

The rapid growth of the pet economy is also reshaping urban development strategies and priorities. In major cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu, governments and businesses are teaming up to explore ways to build “pet-friendly” cities. With supportive policies and ongoing upgrades to infrastructure, these cities are becoming noticeably more welcoming to pets.

Take Shenzhen Airport, for example. It was the first in China to offer a dedicated pet departure lounge. Meanwhile, Shanghai’s Xuhui Riverside – often described as the “gold standard for pet walking” – features a free pet play area and an array of pet-friendly shops. These flagship projects offer valuable models that other cities can emulate.

The rise of pet-friendly travel has also had a positive impact on local cultural tourism industries. By developing and refining travel routes and experiences tailored specifically for pets, destinations are successfully attracting a growing number of travellers who bring their pets along. This not only boosts tourism spending but also pushes the sector towards greater diversity and more specialised offerings.

At present, the pet travel market is entering a phase of rapid expansion, with services across the board undergoing continuous upgrades:

•   Transport: Airlines and rail networks are making it easier to travel with pets. Carriers such as Air China, China Southern, and Sichuan Airlines have all launched pet cargo services, while Hainan Airlines introduced in-cabin pet travel as early as 2018. On the rail side, China’s first pilot programme for pet rail transport was launched on 10 April at select stations along the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway.

•   Accommodations: The hospitality sector is also thriving when it comes to pets. According to Flaggy, searches for terms like “pet-friendly” and “pets allowed” rose by around 60% in Q1 this year. Bookings for pet-friendly homestays on Tujia increased by 40% year-on-year. Many properties are now not only welcoming pets, but offering dedicated pet rooms, pet breakfasts, and other thoughtful amenities – ensuring pets enjoy the stay as much as their owners.

•   Cultural Attractions: Traditional scenic spots and even museums are also starting to open their doors to pets. Initiatives like Shanghai Museum’s“Meowseum Nights” and Zhengzhou Haichang Ocean Park’s “Pet-Friendly Day” reflect a shift from blanket bans to zoned access. This approach creates new experiences for consumers and makes travelling with pets a real possibility.

3. Pet-Friendly Travel: A Promising Future

The rise of pet-friendly travel is down to several factors. It reflects not only an improving quality of life, but also broader social progress. As living standards continue to rise, more people are keen to create lasting memories by travelling with their pets. At the same time, growing public acceptance of pet-friendly culture is helping to build a more inclusive and accommodating environment for this type of travel. This trend is not only part of a wider shift in consumer behaviour, but also a meaningful indicator of social progress.

Of course, there are still challenges. Some scenic spots and hotels remain hesitant about allowing pets, transport options can be limited, and there’s a clear need to improve behavioural standards and management for travelling animals. That said, the momentum is hard to ignore. These issues are likely to be resolved over time, paving the way for more “fur babies” to join their owners on future adventures. It’s also essential for society to strengthen education around responsible pet ownership and pet-friendly practices. Only then can we build a civilised, harmonious, and sustainable environment for pet-inclusive travel.

The rise of pet-friendly tourism is not just a reflection of the booming pet economy. It also shows how people are bringing their bond with pets into lifestyle choices. From cities to the countryside, and from museums to mountains and lakes, pets are leaving their paw prints in every corner of the world, sharing the joy of exploration with their owners. Looking ahead, as more places open up to pets and travel barriers continue to fall, more beloved companions will have the chance to roam the world freely alongside their humans and experience everything it has to offer.