The hospitality industry, particularly hotels, are rapidly evolving markets today, where the goal is the "differentiation of the experience" in terms of accommodation, transportation, and exploration. Differentiation through the development of "Pet Friendly" facilities is one of the dominant trends in the international tourism industry.

Within the ranking process of hotel accommodations, transportation, walking and recreational parks, beaches, and dining establishments, the Ekonav Certification Organization aims to provide the opportunity for these businesses to be recognized and differentiated as "Pet Friendly" by following international standards and best practices for animal-friendly companionship (dogs, cats, etc.).

The Ekonav Certification Organization has developed a reliable system for granting the "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certifier" label for the aforementioned categories of businesses and facilities.

The Ekonav Certification Organization has secured, on behalf of its members, the exclusive right to use the registered collective trademark "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certifier". Therefore, the use of the trademark is only permitted with its permission and subject to the regulations, the application of which is mandatory for all businesses and facilities participating in the program.

CERTIFICATION OBJECTIVES

The acquisition of the "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certifier" label from the Ekonav Certification Organization by hotel accommodations, transportation means, walking and recreational parks, beaches, and dining establishments can serve as a means of recognition, distinction, and promotion for these businesses to provide a "differentiated experience" to their customers.

This initiative has multiple objectives:

• To recognize and highlight hotel accommodations that have invested in a differentiated lodging experience through the development of a unique design concept and the provision of upgraded amenities and services to customers traveling with their pets.
• To protect and promote transportation means, walking and recreational parks, beaches, and dining establishments that have invested in creating "Pet Friendly" facilities and processes.
• To protect consumers from falsely claimed "Pet Friendly" businesses that lack a clear "Pet Friendly" concept, meaning those businesses that fail to meet the expectations they create for pet owners.
• To promote "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certifier" businesses through promotional activities in both the domestic and international tourism markets.

SEMINARS

One of the requirements for acquiring the "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certifier" label by hotel accommodations, transportation services, walking and recreational parks, beaches, and dining establishments is for the staff of these businesses to attend specialized seminars developed by the educational group dp studies in collaboration with the Ekonav Certification Organization.

Our educational seminars certify the competence in the transportation, hospitality, and care of companion animals, providing a comprehensive theoretical background that covers a wide range of valuable knowledge. The training received by participants in these seminars is a prerequisite for the issuance of the Ekonav Pet Friendly Certifier label, ensuring the high quality and reliability of this certification.

The seminars have been included in the certification process as we consider it essential for tourism professionals, guides, companions, caregivers, and personnel employed in any certified Pet Friendly organization or business to acquire valuable knowledge about the legislation governing pet care and to stay informed about contemporary and best practices in pet hospitality. The curriculum covers a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge and has been developed by industry professionals with deep expertise and training in hospitality and pet care.

The following seminars are available:

1. For walking and recreational parks:

• "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Park Caretaker"

2. For transportation means:

• "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Pet Transportation Driver"
• "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Pet Transportation Escort"

3. For accommodations:

• "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Accommodation Receptionist"
• "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Pet Sitting"
• "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Cleaning Staff"
• "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Accommodation Operations Manager"

4. For beaches:

• "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Beach Caretaker"

5. For dining venues:

• "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Dining Venue Staff"
• "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Dining Venue Manager"

OBJECTIVES OF THE SEMINARS

The seminars offered by the educational group dp studies, in addition to providing basic knowledge about companion animals and the legislation governing their hospitality, also cover the requirements for "Pet Friendly" Certification and the issuance of the "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certifier" label to legally operating hotel accommodations, transportation services, walking and recreational parks, beaches, and dining establishments.

SEMINAR "PET TRANSPORTATION ESCORT"

The Seminar for the Specialty "Pet Transportation Escort," offered by the dp studies educational group, is aimed at employees who wish to accompany pets during their transportation to a destination.

The seminar describes in detail everything that is in force with national legislation and regulations concerning the transport of pets, the accompanying documents that must be checked during the transport of the animal, the procedures for receiving, placing, transporting, and delivering the animal, personal protection equipment, and in general everything that the attendant must know for the safe transport of a pet.

After attending the Seminar, the trainee obtains the "Ekonav Pet Friendly Certification - Pet Transportation Escort" Certificate which allows them to work as an Escort in certified companies that undertake pet transport.