NEEDHAM, Mass., April 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tripadvisor®, the
world's largest travel platform, today launched the first of
several initiatives to provide immediate economic support to our
local communities, enabling diners and travelers to assist in the
long term recovery of travel and hospitality businesses impacted by
the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Tripadvisor has always been a platform where humans help other
humans by generously sharing their experiences (both good and bad)
so that the next person, a complete stranger, can benefit. In a
time of incredible uncertainty, the very vibrancy and diversity
that inspires people to travel is at risk. The local businesses,
and people who work at them, hold the keys to the culture we all
desire to feel a part of --- both as locals and travelers. That
deep connection to a sense of place, even if only for a long
weekend, is in the hands and hearts of so many people who need
support right now. Small actions like buying a gift card, ordering
take-out, or leaving a review can make a difference. And today, the
world needs each other," said Lindsay
Nelson, Chief Experience and Brand
Officer at Tripadvisor.
There are 5 million hospitality businesses on Tripadvisor that
need help. Gift card purchases, in particular, serve as much needed
microloans to help operators pay their rent, continue to pay
employees and fund benefits like healthcare, as well as fund other
critical expenses. Tripadvisor is making it easier to purchase gift
cards and identity restaurants that are still open for takeout and
delivery.
Tripadvisor is also calling on members to write reviews and
create guides that highlight favorite restaurants, bars and cafes.
These small gestures of support make a meaningful business impact.
The rank of a business on Tripadvisor is based on the
quantity, quality and recency of reviews, with a recent
Cornell Study finding that as
the number of reviews increase, the ratings in these reviews tend
to be more positive.
The Tripadvisor Foundation is committing $1 Million to support organizations serving the
most vulnerable populations around the world in response to
COVID-19. Initially, within the hospitality sector, the Foundation
will contribute $1 (up to
$150,000 USD) for each Tripadvisor
review posted or shares of the #LoveYourLocal hashtag on public
Twitter, Facebook or Instagram accounts. Proceeds will go to two
organizations helping impacted restaurant and front line workers:
World Central Kitchen and The Restaurant Workers' Community
Foundation. See more details below on ways to
participate.
"With guidance from governments being updated frequently, there
is a risk that customers won't be able to keep up with the right
information about which businesses are open for delivery. That is
why we're rolling out these features -- for free -- to make it
easier for restaurant owners and operators to highlight the latest
information about their business, the options they can still
provide to their customers, and encourage gift card purchases,"
said Bertrand Jelensperger, Senior
Vice President, Restaurants at TripAdvisor and CEO of TheFork. "If
everyone who can afford it ordered one gift card or a meal for
delivery, that income could make all the difference in helping the
local restaurant they love pay its bills and its staff during this
period."
Restaurants interested in learning more about how to feature
gift card, take-out or delivery capabilities can visit
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ForRestaurants/covid19 for more
information.
Helping Impacted Front Line and Hourly Workers
As part of an initial $1 Million
donation to support urgent COVID-19 response needs, the Tripadvisor
Foundation will contribute $1 (up to
a total of $150,000 USD) each time a
customer does one of the following actions and shares the
#LoveYourLocal hashtag on public Twitter, Facebook or Instagram
accounts, including posting:
- An image of a gift card receipt from a restaurant you love
anywhere in the world
- A link to a Tripadvisor review of your favorite dining
experience
- Your favorite dish at your favorite local restaurant linking to
a Tripadvisor business listing
- A tribute to your favorite chef or culinary experience linking
to a Tripadvisor business listing
- A list of your local favorites using Tripadvisor's "Saves"
feature by clicking on the heart icon on any Tripadvisor
restaurant listing
These donations will be equally distributed between World
Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes urgently
to provide meals in the wake of natural disasters and crises, and
the Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation dedicated to
making the restaurant industry more hospitable and providing
support to those in the restaurant industry impacted by the
COVID-19 crisis.
While the immediate needs are focused on supporting the
restaurant industry, the partnership with these two organizations
will evolve to support impacted small businesses across the tourism
and hospitality sector.
For more information and guidance on COVID-19, you can join the
conversation on Tripadvisor traveler forums, visit the World
Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention or local government authorities.
About Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel platform*, helps 463
million travelers each month** make every trip their best trip.
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to
browse 859 million reviews and opinions of 8.6 million
accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines and cruises.
Whether planning or on a trip, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to
compare low prices on hotels, flights and cruises, book popular
tours and attractions, as well as reserve tables at great
restaurants. Tripadvisor, the ultimate travel companion, is
available in 49 markets and 28 languages.
The subsidiaries and affiliates of Tripadvisor, Inc.
(NASDAQ:TRIP), own and operate a portfolio of travel media brands
and businesses, operating under various websites and apps,
including the following
websites: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bokun.io, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com
(including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.restorando.com,
and www.bookatable.co.uk), www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.singleplatform.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com,
and www.viator.com.
* Source: Jumpshot for Tripadvisor Sites, worldwide,
November 2019
** Source: Tripadvisor internal log files, average monthly unique
visitors, Q3 2019
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SOURCE Tripadvisor