A panel discussion titled “The Pet-Friendly Concept in the Innovation of the Tourism Offer” was held at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka. The discussion was dedicated to the development of tourism products and services tailored to guests travelling with pets. The panel was organized in cooperation with Valentina Jonjić and Coco’s management.
The panel discussion brought together representatives of the public, aviation, hotel and entrepreneurial sectors, who discussed, from different perspectives, the possibilities of developing a pet-friendly offer, the needs of contemporary guests, and the importance of creating a high-quality, inclusive and sustainable tourism experience.
The discussion featured Vesna Ferenčak Brodarić from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Croatia, Anamarija Jurinjak from Croatia Airlines, Ana Rajak from Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Kvarner Bay, Kristina Krstinić from Lošinj Hotels & Villas, Valentina Jonjić from Coco’s management, and Ruby Montanari-Knez from Monty’s Dog Beach. The panel was coordinated and moderated by Assistant Professor Marina Barkiđija Sotošek, PhD, while the Vice Dean for Business Relations, Professor Elena Rudan, PhD, emphasized in the introductory part the role of the Faculty in monitoring and researching contemporary tourism trends, as well as in connecting the academic community with the professional sector, particularly in the context of innovating the tourism offer.
During the discussion, it was emphasized that pet-friendly tourism is increasingly aligned with the development directions of Croatian tourism, which are focused on quality, sustainability and year-round offerings. The panellists agreed that travelling with pets is no longer a niche segment, but an increasingly important part of tourism demand, with guests expecting a comprehensive destination experience, clear service standards and facilities that go beyond simply allowing pets to stay.
Examples of good practice from various areas of tourism and hospitality were also presented. Croatia Airlines highlighted activities aimed at strengthening Zagreb’s position as a pet-friendly destination, including benefits for passengers travelling with pets and special package arrangements. From the hotel sector, it was emphasized that the pet-friendly concept in contemporary hospitality requires well-designed operational processes, a personalized approach and a high level of organization, while also contributing to the extension of the tourism season, stronger guest loyalty and long-term business stability.
Examples from Lošinj Hotels & Villas demonstrated how a pet-friendly approach can be developed as part of a broader hospitality philosophy across hotels, campsites and the destination as a whole. Coco’s management presented the importance of structured development of pet-friendly hospitality concepts, standards and operational solutions, while Monty’s Dog Beach was highlighted as an example of a Croatian concept that has grown beyond the local context and become recognizable on the international market. By holding this panel discussion, the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management continued to encourage dialogue on innovations in tourism and the development of an offer aligned with the new habits and expectations of guests. The pet-friendly approach was highlighted as an important direction for considering the competitiveness, quality and inclusiveness of the contemporary tourism experience.
