To Help Speed Recovery, Tripadvisor Hires Its Own Travel Agents

The travel and recommendation site quietly launched what it’s calling Reco, a platform that matches travelers who’d rather not flip through Tripadvisor’s entire portfolio of hospitality brands, restaurants and destinations with a personalized “trip designer.”

This comes during an obviously tough time for the travel industry, which has been decimated due to Covid-19 lockdowns. But Tripadvisor, now in its 20th year, is still rolling out new updates and products, as well as a new campaign—all planned before the pandemic—that will be crucial in helping to capitalize on the recovery cycle.

For a $199 fee, travelers on Reco (which is still in beta testing mode) can search a destination, offer their budget, and list any activities and interests.