TripAdvisor extends marketing support to gulf coast partners. Monday, 7th June 2010 Source : TripAdvisor LLC

Hospitality businesses affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are now eligible to receive three months of free business listings and vacation rentals subscriptions.

TripAdvisor for Business, a newly formed division of TripAdvisor LLC that provides, has today announced efforts to provide marketing support to existing and new Gulf Coast partners affected by the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Owners of hotels, B&Bs and inns along the impacted coastal region from New Orleans, Louisiana to St. George Island, Florida -- and within 10 miles of the shore -- will receive a free Business Listing for three months, enabling hoteliers to add their direct contact details to their listings page on TripAdvisor.

Owners and managers of vacation rental properties in the same designated region will receive three months of free advertising via Vacation Rentals, which connects researching travelers with available properties.

"TripAdvisor for Business is committed to helping our hospitality industry partners succeed," said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. "We recognize that small businesses are the backbone of any local economy. The oil spill has the potential to stress these economies and coastal accommodation businesses for months to come. We're taking this action now to provide some relief to help these businesses through what could become challenging times ahead, and as a trusted travel resource, we are equally committed to offering travelers the freshest and most accurate information from other travelers, as well as destination marketing organizations."

Existing Business Listings and Vacation Rentals partners with businesses in the designated region along the Gulf Coast will receive free three-month service extensions. TripAdvisor will contact these customers directly to offer more information.

New partners meeting eligibility requirements may also receive a three-month subscription at no cost. Owners of hotels, B&Bs and inns may contact TripAdvisor for Business at 866-322-5942 to inquire about Business Listings.