AAA Guide Book Identifies ‘Most Accommodating Cities’ for Travelers With Pets

Washington, D.C. - 9/26/2006

Three Texas cities: Houston, San Antonio and Austin top the list of North America's most accommodating cities for travelers with pets, based on the number of pet-friendly lodgings included in the latest edition of Traveling with your Pet: The AAA PetBookŪ. The AAA PetBook, with more than 13,000 listings of hotels and other accommodations that allow pets, is a comprehensive travel guide for pet owners. 

"Nearly 70 million U.S. households have at least one pet - a sizeable and lucrative market segment for the travel and tourism industry," said AAA Publishing executive editor Bill Wood. "We've seen significant growth in the number of pet-friendly hotels, up 28 percent since 1999, and a widening scope of services, activities and treats for four legged tourists and their human companions." According to the Travel Industry Association (TIA), 29 million travelers have taken a pet with them on a trip in the past three years, and 29% stayed in hotels and motels with their pets. Dogs are the most common type of pet to take along (78%), with cats a distant second (15%), according to the TIA. In addition, of the people who said that a hotel's pet policy made an impact on their decision of where to stay, 35% said it was the most important factor in their decision.

This ranking of cities is based on the number of AAA Approved and Diamond rated pet-friendly hotels. The list also notes pet-friendly AAA Approved attractions, the number of local dog parks listed on official city Web sites and other outside sources, and the number of American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited animal clinics.

1. Houston, TX - This Texan city made it to the top of our list with an incredible 108 pet-friendly accommodations available, including three AAA-RATED Five Diamond hotels. The city of Houston reports maintaining two off-leash dog parks, and 20 AAHA accredited emergency veterinary hospitals.
   
2. San Antonio, TX - You won't have any problems finding a place to stay with Fido while visiting the Alamo. San Antonio boasts 98 AAA-RATED lodgings that accept pets, maintains one dog park and nine accredited emergency vet hospitals in the city.
   
3. Austin, TX - The live-music capital of the world is a great place to vacation with your pet, with 72 AAA-RATED hotels and motels that accept pets, ranging in price from $39 to $405 per night. There are 15 accredited animal hospitals, and the city of Austin reports maintaining 12 off-leash dog parks!
   
4. Albuquerque, NM -This southwestern city has 300 years of history to share with you and Rover. While you're there, choose from Albuquerque's 66 AAA-RATED lodgings and visit one of the city's eight dog parks. The city has 10 accredited animal hospitals.
   
5. Phoenix, AZ - Known for its native artwork and laid-back atmosphere, Phoenix also welcomes four-legged friends in 64 AAA-RATED accommodations, and encourages them to take a vacation of their own at one of the city's five leash-free dog parks. There are 12 accredited animal hospitals, just in case.
   
6. Dallas, TX - "Dallas extends its reputation for hospitality through 62 AAA-RATED pet-friendly hotels and motels, two city-maintained dog parks, and 13 accredited animal hospitals.
   
7. New York, NY - The city that never sleeps provides 62 AAA-RATED locations for Fido to rest his head alongside his owner. There are 44 dog parks for him to meet new friends, and 22 accredited animal hospitals.
   
8. Orlando, FL - Orlando is a magical place for kids, adults, and animals alike! Not only does Orlando boast 57 AAA-RATED pet-friendly lodgings, it also offers a city-run dog park, 10 animal hospitals, and attractions that welcome your pet. Three pet-friendly attractions (Walt Disney World Resort, Sea World Orlando and Universal Orlando Resort) are listed in the AAA PetBook guide.
   
9. Nashville, TN - Come to the city where country music stars are made. And while you're at it, bring along your furry friend since there are 50 AAA-RATED lodgings she can stay at with you! And, if you require veterinary care, there are six emergency animal hospitals in town.
   
10. Tucson, AZ - If the great outdoors is your thing, bring along your pet to explore the wilds of the desert. Tucson rounds out the list of top pet-friendly cities with 43 AAA-RATED accommodations that welcome pets, six dog parks, and 22 emergency animal care facilities.

AAA Approved and Diamond rated hotels listed in the PetBook guide are inspected annually by AAA's professional tourism editors to ensure they maintain acceptable standards for cleanliness and comfort. Privately operated campgrounds are also evaluated by AAA and receive a Level 1, 2, or 3 rating based on environmental appeal and facilities. AAA supplemented the data in the book by including information about animal clinics from AAHA (www.aahanet.org), pet friendly attractions listed in the book and local dog parks listed on each city's official website and www.dallasdogparks.org.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 49 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

AAA'S MOST ACCOMODATING CITIES FOR TRAVELERS

####