LONDON, March 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
• Thomas
Cook reveals one in ten Brits buy their pets a holiday
gift
• On-flight purchases of dog toys
outnumber sales of women's fragrance
• More than 10% take pets on holiday
with them
Brits have well-earned a reputation as a nation of pet lovers,
with owners sparing no expense to ensure their furry friends have
the best in creature comforts.
After splashing out an estimated £595 million on gifts for their
beloved pets at Christmas, research from Thomas Cook has revealed that the season of good
will is far from over in a lot of dog owner's minds. With many
willing to forgo their penchant for in-flight designer purchases in
favour of the happiness of man's best friend, it seems that the
widespread availability of cheap holidays has given pet
lovers more cash to splash on their four-legged friends.
Proving that it's more about poochie than Gucci, the tour
operator's research revealed that onboard sales of a £6 chew toy
eclipsed sales of women's fragrance 'Gucci Guilty'. With one in
tens Brits confessing to buying their pet a present while on
holiday, pet friendly souvenirs have made their mark on all four
corners of the globe.
And they call it puppy love…
The unbreakable bond between Brits and their pets has reached
new heights according to new research on behalf of Thomas Cook, with owners reluctant to be parted
from cats and dogs - even when getting away from it all on all
inclusive holidays.
The findings highlighted that 13% of people have their pets in
tow when they head off on their annual breaks - with around 100,000
people in the UK owning pet passports. Prepare to see a flurry of
Rovers and Toms sunning themselves on tropical shores or dipping
their paws in the crystal clear waters of Tunisia!
Even for those owners who choose to leave their pets behind,
keeping in constant contact with their four-legged friends forms an
essential part of their holiday itinerary. With this is mind, it
comes as no surprise that free hotel Wi-Fi is one of the top
criteria for pet loving holidaymakers.
One in three of the 2,000 people surveyed loved nothing more
than a daily check-in with their pets to hear a reassuring bark or
meow via phone or email. In fact, one in twenty opted for a Skype
session whilst on holidays in Turkey and many other
far-flung destinations!
SOURCE Thomas Cook