The first in our 4-part series on must-know pension operation tips. We break down Korea Tourism Organization's 2022 pet travel survey data — and show you how to use it.
Hello! This is ONDA, the digital infrastructure company for Korea's hospitality industry.
📍Essential Pension Tips: 4 Must-Know Insights for Pension Operators
If you run a pet-friendly pension, let's talk about the trends and operating tactics that'll move the needle on revenue.
According to the Korea Tourism Organization's pet travel survey, 7 in 10 pet owners want to travel with their pets — and 1 in 2 actually did in the past year. Naver DataLab confirms the trend: searches for "pet-friendly pension" peaked last June and spiked again during the July–August high season.
Bottom line: demand for pet-friendly pensions will keep growing.
Let's dig into the 2022 pet travel behavior survey (based on ~2,000 pet owners) and pull out the insights that matter.
Top Considerations When Traveling with Pets
![[Source] Korea Tourism Organization](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/63c8cfeb50c88651df9e78a0_Frame_42-min.jpg)
- Pet amenities at the destination (46.2%)
- Activities for pets (38.7%)
- Transportation (36.1%)
- Pet-friendly restaurants/cafes (35.3%)
Since the trip revolves around the pet, most owners prioritize their dog's comfort and fun.
Where They Get Travel Info
![[Source] Korea Tourism Organization](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/63c8d01c7ca153021c8fbdb2_Frame_46-min.jpg)
- Pet communities (38.9%)
- Pet blogs (38.1%)
- Travel info sites/apps (37.9%)
Younger travelers (20s–30s) lean on pet blogs. Travelers in their 40s prefer dedicated travel platforms.
For overnight trips specifically, usage of "travel info sites/apps" and Instagram is noticeably higher than for day trips.
Takeaway: To reach potential guests, integrate your property with OTAs and run an active Instagram account. Platforms like Petz-Go, Companion Life (반려생활), and HeartDog work because they show pet-friendly accommodations, attractions, and restaurants all in one place.
Accommodation Usage
![[Source] Korea Tourism Organization](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/63c8d03963b855a2774d4900_Frame_47-min.jpg)
- Pensions (46.4%)
- Hotels (22.0%)
- Camping/glamping (14.3%)
- Condos/resorts (12.8%)
Travelers in their 20s–30s skew toward hotels. Those in their 40s prefer camping/glamping and condos. 50+ travelers are more likely to stay at private rentals. Highly engaged pet owners lean hotel.
Why pensions are popular:
- Private space, no awkward stares
- Pet amenities (yards, pools) and supplies provided
- Mix of private rooms and shared spaces to socialize with other dog owners
Why some avoid pensions:
- High nightly rates
- Limits on number of pets allowed
- Concern about conflict with other dogs
- Inconsistent cleanliness
What Matters When Choosing a Place
![[Source] Korea Tourism Organization](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/63c8d050322bb9e6234bf4be_Frame_48-min.jpg)
Top factors:
- Pet admission policy (49.6%)
- Dining options (36.3%)
- Activities for pets (35.6%)
- Nearby pet-friendly attractions (32.3%)
So what should you do with this data?
1. Spell out your pet policy clearly
Pet owners need to know: which breeds? how many dogs? Be explicit on your site. Platforms like Petel and Companion Life let guests filter by breed and weight — which means more efficient room sales and higher revenue for you.
2. Share local pet travel intel
"Dining options" means nearby pet-friendly restaurants and cafes.
After checkout, personally recommend spots to guests. Or list them on your site under "nearby attractions." Position yourself as the go-to pet travel hub.
3. Invest in facilities and pet supplies
Dog runs and dog pools are now table stakes. Give pets space to run free. Add seasonal props and decorations — make it Instagrammable. That's your competitive edge.
Other factors guests care about: low beds, pet stairs, room layout, privacy (not bumping into non-pet guests or other dogs), and pet supplies like pee pads on hand.
That's the highlight reel from the KTO survey. Want the full picture?
4. Connect to pet-focused booking channels
We pulled ONDA's internal data: pet-friendly pension revenue during peak season (June–August) jumped 154% year-over-year (2021 → 2022). When we broke down bookings by channel, 8% came from just 2 pet-focused platforms — out of 33 total channels.
"Is 8% a lot?"
Yes. Consider the user base gap between Naver, TMON, Yanolja and niche platforms like Companion Life or Pet Gurus. 8% from a tiny slice of the market is significant.
Translation: if you want efficient, targeted sales, plug into specialized channels.
Running a property is hard enough on its own. Let ONDA handle reservation management and channel integrations so you can focus on hosting.