Big4 promotes pooch-friendly parks

Australia's second biggest holiday park chain has bowed to pressure from dog-loving travellers, reversing a 'no pets' policy that has been in place for the last 32 years.

The policy change by Big4 Holiday Parks means that the operators of 180 Big4 parks around the country now have the option of becoming pet-friendly from July 1.

The move brings Big4 into line with other major park operators including Top Tourist Parks Australia, which has 205 member parks of which around 120 allow man's best friend on-site.

But with only a few days before the ban is lifted, it appears there has been little interest from Big4 park owners, with early indications suggesting less than 20 per cent have so far applied for pet-friendly status.

Big4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park manager, Jennifer Scott, said the popular, Sydneyside caravan park would not be opening up to pets due to its location and the type of traveller the park attracts.

"Because of where we're located, we have four parks within an hour and a half of us that are dog friendly," Scott explained.

"We've managed parks before that have been dog friendly, and whilst it's nice to accommodate those guests with dogs, we're seeing that a lot more guests appreciate not having dogs."

Scott said being pet-friendly was more important for parks outside mainstream tourist areas where travellers with pets have fewer options in regards to accomodation.

"It’s mostly for the travelling guest these days that are going around Australia and want to take their pet with them," she said.

"The parks going across the Nullabor and across to Darwin, they'll probably jump on board and welcome it because obviously they're missing the lion's share of the business at the moment, not being able to get those guests that are travelling with their dogs."

Scott said that for the few guests with dogs that still want to stay at Sydney Lakeside, "we can put them in touch with places that can house their dog for them for the duration of their stay here but for the amount of enquiries we get, it's minimal".

She said in her experience the negative aspects of pet-friendly facilities outweigh the positive.

"You can say to the guest you can have a mild-mannered pet on site and then they have this great big German Shepherd and you pick up after them or they don't put them on leads or people pass their caravan and they bark at them," she said.

Big4 Holiday Parks CEO Ray Schleibs admitted that the decision to allow pets had not been taken lightly, and only after "detailed research and analysis".

"It has been made due to recognition that society's attitude towards travelling with dogs has changed," Schleibs said.

"More dogs are travelling and holidaying with couples and families, with many seeing dogs as substitute children or loyal companions.

"Prior to welcoming dogs, parks will be required to go through a qualification process to ensure dog-specific infrastructure is in place and meets Big4's high quality standards. However, for parks wishing to remain 'dog-free', this policy decision will have no effect on their day-to-day operations."

Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park near Cairns is one of many Top Tourist-affiliated parks that embraces dog owners, and even went so far as to install a dog hydrobath (pictured) earlier this year to cater for its many furry guests.

A manager at the park, Maxine told Caravancampingsales.com.au that the hydrobath had been a big hit with guests. "People think it's absolutely fantastic," she said.

She said it was important that parks cater to people who want to travel with their beloved pets, and that there had been very little trouble with dogs staying at Kurrimine Beach.

"There are so many grey nomads travelling with their pets, and the fact that parks won't take them; this is why there are so many free camping," she said.

"If people travel with a pet, the pet has to be well behaved, in the car and everything else."

"My husband says you should have (a sign that says): small dogs welcome, kids on application... The kids are far more work (than dogs)!"