Newsroom
London, UK, 7th April, 2020 – 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 travellers to assist in the long term recovery of travel, tourism and hospitality businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tripadvisor is enabling diners and travellers to take actions now that help the five million hospitality businesses listed on its platform, such as encouraging take-away or delivery and gift card purchases at a favourite restaurant. Gift card or gift voucher purchases, in particular, serve as much needed microloans to help operators pay their rent, continue to pay employees, as well as fund other critical expenses.
In an effort to bring more attention to these businesses, members of Tripadvisor will also be encouraged to write reviews and create guides that highlight their local favourites and recent dining experiences. These small acts of support can make a big impact for these businesses and local communities as travel and stay-at-home restrictions subside.
Additionally, Tripadvisor is calling on its own global community to help generate much-needed donations to causes that are supporting the industry during this time of need. Diners can also show their appreciation for a restaurant or chef on social media, and generate donations for a hospitality industry in need.
The Tripadvisor Foundation is committing $1 Million to support organisations 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 organisations helping impacted restaurant and front line workers: World Central Kitchen and The Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation. See more details below on ways to participate.
5 Ways Diners Can Help Their Local favourites
In the UK, more than a million restaurants employ nearly 30,000 people. Many restaurant businesses have seen their income substantially reduced or even eliminated altogether as a result of the necessary social distancing measures put in place by governments all over the world.
Tripadvisor is highlighting new ways that customers can provide needed support for their favourite restaurants during this period. Here are five ways diners worldwide can help:
Helping Impacted Front Line and Hourly Workers
As part of a $1 Million donation to support urgent COVID-19 response needs, the Tripadvisor Foundation will contribute $1 (up to $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:
These donations will be equally distributed between World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organisation 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 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 organisation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or local government authorities.
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About Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel platform*, helps 463 million travellers each month** make every trip their best trip. travellers 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, travellers 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