Day spas, commando courses: Inside Qld’s top pet resorts
From canine commando courses to rooms inspired by the Hamptons, Queensland pet resorts are raising the bar in the battle for doggie dollars. VIDEO, PICS
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Canine commando courses, doggie day spas and hounds in the Hamptons are just some of the incredible attractions luring pampered pooches to some of the state’s top pet resorts.
With the booming pet industry now worth an estimated $33 billion a year to the Australian economy, pet motels and resorts are ramping up the revamps in a bid to win the seal of approval of cats, dogs and their owners.
Many are booked out for months in advance as pet owners plan holidays of their own in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pet Resorts Australia is celebrating the completion of extensive revamps at both ends of the state, with venues at Eumundi in the Sunshine Coast hinterland and Townsville in the tropics raising the bar(k) when it comes to digs for dogs and cats.
At the Eumundi-Noosa resort, pets can burn off excess energy in a commando course or cool off in a brand new splash park before retiring to destination suites inspired by such exotic addresses as the African Serengeti or the villages of Tuscany.
The Townsville property has just opened suites inspired by the Hamptons district of upstate New York.
Pet Resorts Australia Chief Operating Officer Blake De Bruin said the huge uptake of both pet accommodation for short stays along with doggie daycare had spurred the business to invest in new facilities to cater for the booming demand.
“In Queensland, we’ve been busier than ever, we are seeing resorts booking out three-to-six months in advance, so we have heavily invested in quality accommodation across both our sites,” he said.
“Now more than ever, Australians are willing to spend the money on quality accommodation and enriching entertainment for their four-legged friends if it means having peace of mind that their pets are cared for as they would be at home.
“We need to continue to evolve with the changing attitudes of Australians.”
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