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| A dog bounds down a small flight of stairs in a pet hotel. Korea Times file |
By Kim Se-jeong
A dog care service will be available at Gimpo International Airport from June for passengers to check their pets into while they are traveling as part of the airport's moves to better cater to passengers with companion animals.
According to an airport official, checked-in dogs will be sent to a nearby pet hotel where they will stay until it's time to be returned to the airport for pick-up.
"Companion dogs are more common nowadays. And we see people having trouble with their pets when they plan trips," an airport official told The Korea Times as to how the service came about. "We hope this service will better serve passengers."
The pet hotel, according to the airport, has six big playgrounds, a swimming pool, a photo studio and other facilities on 4,000 square meters of land. "The size was an important consideration when we chose it," the official said.
The standard service will cost 50,000 won per day, and a premium option will be also available.
However, the service will be limited to dogs only. "The center in the airport is not large enough to accommodate dogs and cats together. Also, we've seen more demand from dog owners," she said.
As the number of companion animals increases in the country, the tourism industry has been gradually making moves to better cater to pet owners.
Lotte Duty Free and Shinsegae Duty Free offer their customers special discount coupons for local pet hotels. Korean Air offers a fare discount for pets that fly frequently with their owners. Also, more hotels now allow pets in their rooms and offer pet-friendly facilities and packages.
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| A dog care service will open in Gimpo International Airport in June to help travelers' with pets while they're away. Korea Times file |
