TAMPA BAY COLLARS THE DOG TRAVEL MARKET
As if Tampa Bay’s beaches weren’t enough of a draw for tourists, a travel website has ranked the area as the No. 1 spot to take a vacation with your pet.
Yes, the Tampa- St. PetersburgClearwater region is considered the most pet-friendly in the United States, according to RewardExpert, an online site helping people maximize travel rewards.
The group’s researchers say they have the data to back up the claim: Tampa Bay has the most petfriendly hotels per capita, as well as an above- average number of petfriendly activities.
“You can really enjoy the city with your pet,” said Kaja Olcott, spokeswoman with New Yorkbased RewardExpert.
The group compared 53 of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States and broke them down by pet needs, pet recreation and the city’s profile. It released the data in advance of “National Pet Day” on April 11. The Tampa Bay region came out on top, largely for having 32 hotels allowing pets per every 100,000 residents, the analysis said.
“That’s where Tampa stuck out,” Olcott said. “It’s not just having somewhere you can go with your pet, but somewhere you can stay with your pet.”
For pet owners who live to spoil their four- legged friends, St. Pete Beach’s historic Don CeSar Hotel offers gourmet room service for cats and dogs. The hotel even boasts a canine massage therapist. For the average traveller, Clearwater’s Clarion Inn & Suites charges just $20 a night to bring along up to two pets weighing less than 70 pounds each.
And once a family – dog in tow – is settled in, they can head to one of the area’s dozens of dog parks or to Honeymoon Island and the Davis Islands Dog Beach for a swim. They can grab a puppy ice cream at Dairy Joy in Tampa or a drink at the Dog Bar in St. Petersburg.
Pinellas County’s Heritage Village welcomes pups, as does one of the Shell Key Shuttle’s sunset cruises from St. Pete Beach. North Redington Beach’s Sage Cafe serves dogs waffles, eggs and toast with peanut butter. ( Oh, and food for people, too.)
The Ta mpa city council just approved a proposal for a dog park and bar in Seminole Heights. The pet love in Tampa Bay seems to be ever growing. “It definitely lives up to the No. 1 ranking,” said St. Petersbark pet shop owner Krista Schmidt, who has noticed more restaurants offering pet-friendly patios.
Schmidt, 31, moved to St. Petersburg from Atlanta, which ranked No. 5. San Francisco was named No. 2 because of its 15 dog-friendly beaches. Miami was next due to its high number of pet stores and petfriendly eateries. Portland, Ore., was named the best city to play catch with pets and Pittsburgh the best for hiking with them.
‘MOST OF MY CUSTOMERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE NEW TO ST. PETE AND TAMPA, MENTION HOW HEAVENLY IT IS TO LIVE HERE BECAUSE IT’S SO DOG-FRIENDLY’ — OWNER OF ST. PETERS BARK