Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is the new home of a hotel for goldfish. Travel agent D-reizen, with the help of Olympic swimming champion Maarten van der Weijden, has opened the Goudvissen Hotel so travelers have a safe place to leave their pet fish while they are on vacation.
A display aquarium has been set-up to look like a beach-front hotel complete with lounge chairs and 80 resident goldfish. However, the actual fish-sitting takes place in "private suites, so that they don’t get mixed up and catch each others’ diseases, D-reizen director Steven van Nieuwenhuizen explained."
The fishy resort, inspired by the travel agent D-reizen, who uses an animated goldfish in its advertising, opened June 24, 2009.
Goldfish Hotels
D-reizen Goudvissen Hotel at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport
Trend Themes
1. Pet Hotels - There is a growing trend in pet hotels for various pets, such as goldfish, which offers a new business opportunity for pet hotel operators.
2. Creative Pet Care Services - The creation of innovative pet care services, such as the goldfish hotel, offers disruptive innovation opportunities for entrepreneurial businesses in the pet care industry.
3. Airport Business Services - The development of unique business services, such as the goldfish hotel at Schiphol airport, presents disruptive innovation opportunities for businesses to offer specialized services at airports.
Industry Implications
1. Pet Care Industry - The pet care industry has opportunities to expand beyond traditional services and offer a wider range of pet care services, including goldfish hotels.
2. Hospitality Industry - The hospitality industry can disrupt the market by offering unique services such as goldfish hotels that cater to pet owners.
3. Airport Services Industry - Airports can create new streams of revenue by offering bespoke services like a goldfish hotel, that can attract a wider range of travelers and provide them with a unique and memorable experience.