HOW DOG OWNERS LEISURE PATTERNS INFORM DESTINATION PREFERENCES: INSIGHTS FORM HUNGARY

Abstract

This article investigates the leisure and travel behavior of Hungarian dog owners, focusing on their preferences for destinations and activities that accommodate their canine companions. The study utilizes a comprehensive methodological approach, including a quota sample of Hungarian dog owners, an online selfreported questionnaire, and advanced statistical analyses such as robust factor analysis with Robust Diagonally Weighted Least Square (RDWLS) extraction and clustering of factor scores, to explore the dynamics of pet inclusive tourism. Results reveal distinct clusters of dog owners with varying leisure preferences and demonstrate significant associations between these preferences and destination choices, underscoring the importance of dogfriendly accommodations and activities. The findings highlight a shift towards personalized tourism experiences catering to dog owners, suggesting that destinations should adopt inclusive practices to attract this demographic. This research contributes to the understanding of petinclusive tourism, offering practical implications for destination marketers and service providers worldwide to better accommodate traveling dog owners.

Keywords

• leisure time with pets
• destination preferences
• leisure patterns
• segmenting dog owners
• traveling with dogs