Mars Petcare and Tripadvisor launch co-branded travel hub for pet parents

New Delhi: Mars Incorporated has announced a partnership with Tripadvisor, kicking off in the US market with plans for future global expansion. 

Through a new co-branded digital hub, consumers will be connected to pet-friendly communities across Tripadvisor’s platform.

The partnership is the result of a significant investment from Mars to accelerate the digital transformation of its pet nutrition business to meet the needs of the increasingly "always-connected" pet parent.

“At Mars, we’re dedicated to becoming the most digitally enabled, pet parent-centric organisation, which means collaborating with innovators like Tripadvisor to transform the pet parent experience,” said Natalia Ball, Global Chief Growth Officer of Mars Pet Nutrition. “This partnership cements our commitment to supporting pet parent communities, using our unmatched expertise, knowledge and relationship with over 400 million pets and their pet parents who purchase our products every year.”

The partnership aims to use digital technology to connect consumers with pet-friendly options, helping to guarantee a better travel experience for pets, their parents and the businesses that want to support them. 

Partnership features include:

• A new consumer hub, available online or through Tripadvisor’s mobile app, offering a one-stop resource for pet-friendly travel. Specifically:
• City guides developed in partnership with Cesar, featuring pet-friendly travel tips and attractions in better cities for pets-certified U.S. cities, including Miami, Austin, Nashville, Phoenix and Palm Springs, with plans to expand globally.
• An enhanced AI Trip Builder for users to build a pet-friendly trip in minutes with a personalised itinerary guided by traveller tips and reviews.
• A hub for businesses to discover the benefits of welcoming pets, including how to become pet friendly on Tripadvisor, how to accommodate pets, and how to ensure consumers know that they can visit with their animal companion.
• The launch of a new Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award category, Pet-Friendly Hotels, with Hotel Fioreze Quero Quero in Brazil named the world’s most pet-friendly, and Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale in Florida taking the title in the US

“We know our travellers love their pets and are looking for hotel and restaurant recommendations to make sure they can enjoy every part of their adventure together,” said Christine Maguire, Global Vice-President of Sales and Partnerships, Tripadvisor. 

“Through this partnership, we’re streamlining the journey for those who want to bring their pet along, helping them create lifelong memories – while encouraging and supporting the growth of pet-friendly businesses.”