Yeoh Siew Hoon questions why hoteliers in Asia do not see profits in pets, the way their compatriots in the US and Europe do.

There I was feeling rather depressed after reading the newspaper which had an entire page devoted to "Disaster after disaster" and headlines like "Killer Quake", "Vicious Winter", "Deadly Landslide" and "Lethal Storms".

All these in a paper nicknamed "The Good News Newspaper" by those of us who live in Singapore – and suddenly, my heart leapt with joy when I read the headline "Hotels See Big Profits in Pets" on this very website.

Thank goodness, someone else sees the world through canine-coloured glasses.

I have long felt dog-crimination in countries in Asia.

There are no dog rights. They do not have the right to travel. If they travel overseas, they cannot return unless they are locked up for months in a cage. If they travel at home, they are frowned upon everywhere.

My indignation was compounded after my recent trip to France in which I spent seven days and seven nights, dog-sitting my friend's golden retriever, Raley.

Here's what I wrote about this eye-opening experience, published in a woman's magazine, Simply Her, whose travel section I edit.

"Raley is a five-year-old golden retriever. He is big. He makes my Dylan, also a golden retriever, look like a midget. Raley is so used to the urban life that he can walk anywhere, through the busiest streets, without a leash. Let him out of the apartment and he would go scooting off, sniffing and doing what male dogs feel compelled to do every 10 seconds, without a care in the world.

In the beginning, that frightened me. Coming from a place where you get told off for taking your dog off the leash even on the beach – I was once told on Sentosa that I had to have the leash on even when Dylan was swimming – I went into canine shock.

But Raley's one of those strong, silent males who know just how to reassure a girl. Say the word "Isi" (here), and he would just come trotting back.

Take him into any restaurant – almost all allow dogs – and he would just sit under the table, quiet as a mouse. Okay, occasionally, he would poke his nose up hoping for some food but tell him, "Non, bon chien" (No, good dog), and he would go back to his position.

I picked up more French with Raley than I've ever had on previous trips.

When I told a French friend living in Singapore I was learning to communicate so well with a French dog, he said I should try French men.

Ah but then, they would never be as obedient as Raley."

Which is why the article by The Write Company posted on this website warmed the cockles of my heart.

It said that "pet stays – once limited to hotels in France, where pets are viewed with the same reverence as children – are now being embraced by several market-savvy hoteliers in the US."

Here's some data it shared:

• Of the 62 million dog owners in the US, 29 million regularly hit the road with their pets.
• An American Express Leisure Travel survey reported that 13% of respondents described an ideal vacation as one that is "pet-friendly".

So enters Starwood with its LTD (Love That Dog) programme after they found that 76% of respondents said they would be more loyal to a hotel chain that accepted dogs, even when they weren't traveling with their pets.

Unfortunately, Starwood is not launching the programme in Asia "primarily due to cultural/hygiene reasons at various local destinations where either culturally or from a hygiene point of view, it is not considered appropriate by the local community and authorities", said a spokesperson.

Anyway, what I want to know is, when will hoteliers in Asia wake up to this potential and introduce pet stays?

In Singapore, I have been trying to encourage some of my hotelier friends to introduce doggie areas. Most of them look at me as if I am insane.

One hotel totally suitable for such a canine revolution is Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort. Its Siloso beach is pet-friendly but only during the day.

I once asked Ben Bousnina, general manager, if he would introduce a doogie area at his hotel where owners could sleep over with their dogs.

He asked me to take a flying trapeze – which by the way is also right on his beach.

I am just kidding, Ben too is a dog lover but he is sensitive to his two-legged customers. He thinks they may not like the idea.

To which I say, dog-gone it.

How do you know until you've tried?



The SHY Report
A regular column on news, trends and issues in the hospitality industry by one of Asia's most respected travel editors and commentators, Yeoh Siew Hoon.

Siew Hoon, who has covered the tourism industry in Asia/Pacific for the past 20 years, runs SHY Ventures Pte Ltd. Her company's mission is "Content, Communication, Connection". She is a writer, speaker, facilitator, trainer and events producer. She is also an author, having published "Around Asia In 1 Hr: Tales of Condoms, Chillies & Curries". Her motto is ‘free to do, and be'.
Contacts: Tel: 65-63424934, Mobile: 65-96801460

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