Walgreens, Tripadvisor partner on responsible travel campaign
“Before you go there, start here,” get tested and enjoy your travels. That’s the message Walgreens wants millions of spring breakers to hear before they travel.
Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, announced a partnership with Walgreens to promote and encourage safe and responsible travel during spring break and school vacations here in the United States.
By leveraging Tripadvisor’s first-party data and massive reach among high-intent travelers, the retailer will promote travelers’ ability to easily access one of the thousands of locations across the United States offering free drive-thru COVID-19 testing, vaccination appointments and travel essentials.
[Read more: Walgreens, Labcorp offering at-home COVID-19 test collection kits]
“To help college students and families alike prepare for their trip, Tripadvisor will be showcasing information on Walgreens’ COVID-19 testing solutions to its millions of spring travelers as a convenient option to help them feel prepared and comfortable traveling,” Christine Maguire, vice president of Global Media Business at Tripadvisor, said. “As many restrictions are easing around the U.S, 65% of Americans agree that it is safe to travel this spring. Tripadvisor and Walgreens have come together with the aim of guiding all travelers to a worry-free trip.”
As Omicron cases are declining and restrictions are easing globally, more Americans are ready to travel. According to a recent Tripadvisor survey, 45% of Americans report planning to travel this March and April, including 68% of Gen Z travelers, the companies said.
Of those travelers, 68% are expected to take a rapid COVID-19 antigen test before, during or after their trip. The Gen Z demographic has the highest percentage of travelers planning to take a COVID-19 test with a massive 89%. Notably, 46% of travelers will most commonly take a test before their trip, according to the companies.
[Read more: Walgreens' COVID-19 Index reports PCR test data on BA.2 variant]
“With many regions easing COVID-19 mitigation measures, people will need to evaluate their own comfort level with COVID-19 risk ahead of travel and other activities,” Kevin Ban, chief medical officer of Walgreens, said. “When planning for upcoming travel, getting a COVID-19 test at Walgreens is especially important if you’re symptomatic, unvaccinated, plan to be in mixed company of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals or concerned about exposing a loved one who is immunocompromised.”
The partnership with Walgreens includes a series of short-form animated videos, branded content where travelers can learn more and book convenient, free drive-thru COVID-19 testing or vaccine appointments, purchase at-home COVID-19 tests, as well as get tips for stocking up on safety items and travel essentials. Tripadvisor also will promote Walgreens’ drive-thru testing locations via dynamic banners on its site, targeting travelers at various stages of their travel journey.
Why COVID-19 travel safety matters:
- Twenty two percent of Americans still find it difficult to access or understand where to get COVID-19 testing to support travel decisions;
- Sixty two percent of Americans say they feel more comfortable visiting businesses that have COVID-19 related safety measures in place (sanitation practices, contactless technology, social distancing, etc.);
- Eighty six percent of Americans reference local safety or COVID-19 entry and exit guidelines before traveling at least sometimes; and
- Thirty eight percent of Americans want to completely avoid crowds while traveling, while 28% will only visit crowded areas if everyone is wearing a mask (rising to 47% of Gen Z).
Additional details can be found on a designated landingpage on the Tripadvisor website.