April 18, 2024 – As the Croatian capital prepares to host the World Dog Show, a new official website dedicated to Zagreb for Pets is launched.
Tourism comes in all shapes and sizes, and destinations these days have much to consider when preparing their offer. And with many tourists wanting to travel with their four-legged friends, destinations which take into consideration the needs of tourists travelling with pets have a competitive advantage. The rise of cat cafes and pet-friendly hotels is a growing trend, and Zagreb’s pet tourism credentials have just risen a notch with its hosting of the imminent World Dog Show, as well as the launch of a dedicated website, Zagreb for Pets, which brings together all the needs of pet owners – accommodation, vets, grooming salons, dog parks and pet-friendly bars and restaurants – into one place, complete with interactive map (see screenshot below and link here).
The World Dog Show (WDS) is a Fédération Cynologique Internationale-sanctioned, four- to six-day-long international dog show, held yearly since 1971. It has been called “the most important dog show in the world”. The World Show includes agility, obedience, junior handler, conformation, and other events and demonstrations. Dogs who win in any category are awarded the title “World Winner”. The show places a special emphasis on rare and unusual dog breeds. It is one of the largest dog shows in the world, with shows attracting upwards of 10,000 entrants. It is held in a different country each year, and this will be the first time is has been held in Croatia. You can find more on the event details here.
The Zagreb Tourist Board provided more information on both the event and website in a recent press release:
“Zagreb, April 10, 2024 – The Tourist Board of the City of Zagreb (TZGZ) has launched a specialized website, where information related to the possibilities and obligations for all travelers with pets is gathered in one place. Namely, traveling with pets requires detailed planning, so on the website http://www.infozagreb.hr/ljubimci-zagreba you can find a list of the so-called pet friendly accommodation and catering facilities, veterinary services, shelters, as well as dog parks, salons and cultural institutions that allow pets to enter.
“Director of TZGZ, Martina Bienenfeld said: “World statistics clearly show that pets are indispensable members of many families around the world. With more than one billion pets globally and an impressive 150 million pets in the United States alone, it’s certain that travelers are increasingly looking to travel with their four-legged friends. According to research, more than 50% of travelers around the world take their pets with them on vacation, and a large number of dog owners choose the so-called pet friendly hotels for your accommodation. In this sense, I am especially glad that with these pages we are additionally highlighting our city as a recognizable destination that welcomes visitors with pets, and we will be able to express the same on a serious level already at the end of April, when the World Dog Show 2024 is announced. at the Zagreb Fair.
In addition, I would like to point out that for the period January – March, Zagreb is the first in Croatia in terms of achieved results compared to other cities, that is, 11% more arrivals (212,073) and 5% more overnight stays (441,000) were achieved. These results indicate a continuous interest in Zagreb as a year-round destination that can offer various attractive contents to its visitors at any time of the year. “
“We emphasize that the website is available in Croatian and English, with the aim of providing information to as wide a range of visitors as possible. By continuously updating the content and information, it will be ensured that pets and their owners can fully enjoy all the beauty and facilities that Zagreb has to offer. This initiative represents a step forward in creating an inclusive tourist experience that will make Zagreb an even more attractive destination for all lovers of traveling with pets.
