Mars launches pet-friendly digital hub with Tripadvisor

Pet care products and services company Mars Incorporated has partnered with travel guidance platform Tripadvisor to launch a new co-branded digital hub for pet owners. 

The platform will aim to inspire more businesses to become pet-friendly, as less that 1% of US restaurants are listed on Tripadvisor as pet-friendly, and encourage consumers to connect with pet-friendly communities. 

Natalia Ball, Global chief growth officer of Mars Pet Nutrition, said: “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.

“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.”

Consumers will be able to access the digital hub online or through the Tripadvisor mobile app which includes city guides with pet-friendly travel tips and attractions, created in partnership with dog food brand Cesar, guides for businesses on how to be more pet friendly and accommodate pets, and more. 

The digital hub will also leverage AI to create a ‘Trip Builder’ that can curate a pet-friendly trip for users in minutes including a personalised itinerary.

There’s also a new ‘Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best Award’ category on the platform which honours the best Pet-Friendly hotels such as Hotel Fioreze Quero Quero in Brazil. 

Christine Maguire, Global Vice President of Sales & Partnerships, Tripadvisor, said: “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.

“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.”