Can I bring my pet? The space for companion animals in hospitality and tourism

Abstract

Companion animals play an important role in our lives as pets, as emotional support animals, as guide dogs, or through different forms of pet therapy. The sociological, emotional and physical space that companion animals have been gaining in our lives and houses has steadily grown for more than a century. Such a trend reflects a societal change with regard to the human-animal relationship as well as an increasing attention towards such a relationship, questioning and scrutinising its ambiguities and hypocrisies. In the hospitality and tourism sector, the sociological and physical space for companion animals seems overlooked and under-researched. Therefore, this research note aims at filling this gap by calling for further studies and research in this field.