NEARLY a third of family dogs decide their owners' holiday destinations these days – and if they opt for Ibiza, the four-legged members of the clan can spend it in the lap of luxury.
Around 50 hotels on the island have gone from 'tolerating' dogs accompanying human guests to actively catering for them, VIP-style.
They regale the animals with a personalised gift basket, dressing gown, blanket, bottle of mineral water and an 'extra' such as a furry toy, bone, or giant dog biscuit.
Gift baskets include 'dog champagne', swimwear so they can use the pool, and dog shampoo.
Activities for pampered pets include themed walks and manicures on the beach.
Menus for dogs are included in the human food list in the hotel room and varieties include dishes made with rice, chicken soup, carrots, onions, green asparagus and spinach, or chopped fillet steak, or chopped pork in cous cous with carrot and courgette – and even desserts.
Depending upon levels of luxury required, pet suites can cost from €4 a night through to anything up to €650 a week – more than the monthly minimum wage in Spain.
Top-end hotels and package deals even include shops where owners can buy Swarovski crystal-studded accessories for their dogs, with at least one hotel chain on Ibiza offering private jet services to transport customers and their pets to luxury suites with prices starting at €5,500 per night, and package deals including return flights from the dogs' and humans' home country ranging from €25,000 to €100,000, depending upon where they are in the world.
With half of all homes in Spain having at least one pet, this means 16.1 million potential furry customers.
Add to this the fact that 32% of British, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese and German tourists choose their holiday destination according to where pets will be allowed and where they will get the best facilities for them, and it is clear why the 50 or so hotels which cater specifically for dogs are doing a roaring trade.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com