PETTRAVEL CASE STUDY — PHASE 01 / 03

Research & Desk Research: Understanding the Impact of Traveling with Dogs in Spain

In Spain there are nearly 19 million households, 33% of which live with a dog. Traveling with pets often creates a fragmented experience filled with conflicting regulations and hidden fees.

ROLE

Lead UX Researcher & Product Designer

METHODOLOGICAL SCOPE

Desk Research, 30 Interviews, 60 Surveys

TIMELINE

2 Weeks Discovery

TARGET MARKET

Spain (Pet-Friendly Population)

Market Sizing

Key Quantitative Findings

Sociodemographic data synthesized through official INE census data and primary sampling targeting pet-owning households.

NATIONAL CENSUS home

19M

Total Households in Spain

National census benchmark evaluating pet-friendly travel demand.

CANINE OWNERSHIP pets

33%

Dog Ownership in Spain

Approximately 6 million households plan vacation stays conditioned by pet policies.

QUALITATIVE record_voice_over

In-Depth Interviews

45-minute qualitative sessions with families with dogs and families traveling with pets examining logistical barriers.

QUANTITATIVE pie_chart

Quantitative Surveys Completed

Quantitative validation on travel habits, spending, and booking friction.

The Structural Challenge

The 4 Critical Friction Pillars

Users traveling with pets face severe hurdles organizing trips due to scarce, unverified, and fragmented pet-friendly data. As a consequence, pet owners avoid specific trips or decide not to travel with their dogs altogether.

85% High Friction

apartment Accommodation & Hospitality

Highly ambiguous pet policies on direct booking channels, unexpected extra charges per night, and restrictions leaving pets in rooms.

report_problem 8 out of 10 users call the hotel to clarify fine print and hidden fees.

70% Logistical Bottleneck

train Public & Long-Distance Transport

Severe constraints on national trains (Renfe/Ouigo slots under 10kg), bus baggage hold requirements, and complex airline rules.

directions_car Extreme car dependency resulting from a lack of reliable alternatives.

70% Destination Uncertainty

restaurant Activities, Beaches & Dining

Lack of municipal clarity on dog-friendly beaches, terraces, and indoor cultural spaces with seasonal bylaws.

info Heterogeneous regulations across Spanish municipal councils.

60% Safety Anxiety

local_hospital Veterinary Services & Emergencies

Absence of centralized 24/7 emergency clinic directories, putting pet health at critical risk during unfamiliar trips.

shield 74% consider nearby emergency vets vital when choosing holiday stays.

Field Observation: Intercity transit with pets (Train / Commuter rail) • Madrid & Barcelona 2024

ETHNOGRAPHIC DISCOVERY PHASE

Ecosystem & Competitive Analysis

App Benchmarking in Spain & Synthesis Mindmap

Evaluation of existing platforms, identifying value gaps and shaping PETTRAVEL's core product architecture.

Comparative Competitor Analysis

Ecosystem Benchmarking

Analysis of current market alternatives across Spain and Europe highlighting logistical gaps versus PETTRAVEL's unified mobility model.

Platform / Solution	Primary Focus	Transit Booking	Policy Verification	Gaps & Edge Detected
Dog Vivant	Commercial local business directory	Not integrated	Partial / Self-declared	Frequent outdated info on surcharges and municipal bylaws.
SrPerro	Urban dog editorial guide & local spots	Not integrated	Manual / Editorial	Heavy urban hospitality focus; lacks long-distance transit logistics.
BringFido	Global pet travel aggregator directory	Non-existent	User-reported reviews	UI/UX not adapted to Spanish regulations or regional train/bus connections.
Airbnb Pet-Friendly	Vacation rental lodging filter	N/A	Host discretion	Ambiguous weight caps, surprise deposits, and universal no-leave-alone rules.
verifiedPETTRAVEL	Unified pet mobility & travel ecosystem hub	Direct API Booking	100% Verified (API & Audits)	Zero-friction canine passenger ticketing & end-to-end multimodal planner.

Data gathered across 5 benchmark criteria during desk research discovery.PETTRAVEL Competitive Advantage

Synthesis Mindmap

Primary focus areas synthesized from qualitative field insights and competitive positioning.

01. Algorithmic Lodging Verification

Listing profiles with strict policy breakdowns: pet fees per night, weight caps, and room leave permissions.

02. Multimodal Route Planner

Pet-friendly transit routing with 2-hour rest stops, fenced dog parks, and verified highway service stations.

03. Real-Time Municipal Bylaws

Centralized index of local council regulations covering beaches, transit systems, and terrace dining permissions.

04. Integrated 24/7 Vet SOS

Direct access to emergency clinics across Spain with route-aware GPS navigation and one-tap emergency calling.

Core Design Hypothesis

"Users traveling with pets face severe hurdles organizing trips due to scarce, unverified, and fragmented pet-friendly data. As a consequence, pet owners avoid specific trips or decide not to travel with their dogs altogether."

Phase Transition

Next Phase: 02 / Methodology & R&D →

Discover how field findings translated into proto-personas, emotional journey mapping, and technical requirements.

Proceed to Methodology → arrow_forward