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Carla Stewart
Pets Can Stay Inc.
(250) 413-3161
(250) 413-3110
info@petscanstay.com
www.petscanstay.com
Sacramento, CA, October 30, 2005 - California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) and Pets Can Stay Inc. (PCS) announced today their new relationship designed to encourage pet owners to travel to California. Developing a number of resources aimed at travellers with pets, the CH&LA/PCS collaboration will raise awareness of California’s numerous attractions and lodging establishments that cater to the pet travel market. “Our mission has always been to represent and serve the unique interests of each segment of California’s diverse lodging industry” comments Jim Abrams, CH&LA’s President & CEO. “The tourism industry is witnessing an increased trend in travelling with pets, and we feel that Pets Can Stay can provide our member lodging establishments with the necessary tools for attracting and servicing that growing market segment.” A key component of the overall initiative will involve Pets Can Stay working closely with the CH&LA to introduce Pets Can Stay’s Accommodation Provider Certification Program into the California lodging industry, and increase the credibility and visibility of California properties that are serious about targeting travellers with pets.
A 2001 survey by the American Animal Hospital Association publicized that nearly 65 percent of Americans travel with their pet, up from 58 percent in 1995. In a similar vein, a 2003 report from the Travel Industry Association of America reported that approximately 29.1 million Americans travelled long distance with their pets over the previous three years. “We’re very excited to be working with the California Hotel & Lodging Association” adds Carla Stewart, Pets Can Stay’s General Manager. “As the largest state lodging association in the country, they are truly leaders in the North American tourism industry. Their attention to the pet travel market will not only benefit their member lodging establishments and visitors to California, but it will also have a positive impact across the North American landscape by encouraging other lodging and tourism organizations to do the same.”
Tied in with the growing number of North American travellers opting to bring their pets with them on trips, the PCS-CH&LA initiative will reach thousands of pet owners via newsletters, a new California section in Pets Can Stay’s online regional travel guide, and Pets Can Stay icons in select California travel publications.
Background
The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) is the largest and most influential state lodging association in the United States and is the only California lodging association affiliated with the American Hotel & Lodging Association. CH&LA's history of providing leadership, representation, and service to California's lodging industry reaches back 111 years.
Pets Can Stay Inc. is the North American certification and marketing body for accommodation providers that accept pets. Catering to the pet-toting traveller, the Pets Can Stay program employs a system of policy guidelines, amenities criteria, and onsite inspections, for establishments wishing to enhance their guests’ overall traveling experience. Properties certified under the Pets Can Stay banner range from small bed & breakfasts to 5 Star luxury resorts. In addition to property certification, Pets Can Stay’s Travel Services division provides live, personal assistance and full travel booking services to people wanting to travel with their four-legged companions. This national service is provided free of charge to the general public.
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