Expedia Report reveals around 30 per cent of Canadians find the stress of travelling eased with a helping hand from someone
TORONTO, May 4, 2021 /CNW/ — As Canadians look to brighter days ahead and continue to dream about future travel, today, Expedia® launches its Travel Companions Report in collaboration with singer, songwriter and actor, Joe Jonas. The report uncovers more than 60 per cent of Canadian adults feel stressed at the thought of booking international trips and 28 per cent state they need a helping hand when travelling. Expedia and Joe Jonas are teaming up to offer travellers an actual Helping Hand to help reduce stress for when they are ready and it’s possible to travel again.
Available today in extremely limited quantities are 150 exact replicas of Joe Jonas’ right hand, created to symbolize the support and reassurance Expedia aims to bring to travellers. Recognizing that for many, the idea of booking their first trip since the start of the pandemic may come with feelings of hesitation and uncertainty, Expedia’s Helping Hand is a symbol of the travel company’s new commitment to being the ultimate travel companion.
A limited-edition piece of art, the Helping Hands were created using a 3D printer and stereolithography technology. Every hand has been individually painted with custom artwork, then numbered (by hand), and signed by Jonas. Helping Hands can be redeemed now while supplies last, at helpinghand.expedia.ca.
“It’s going to take time for travellers to adjust to a post-pandemic life and the new norms that this may entail –we want to make sure we are there for them, every step of the way. Providing a helping hand to travellers is our mission, whether it’s a physical hand to hold for added comfort, or the act of arming them with all the information they need to confidently plan their next trip. We’re on a multi-year journey to becoming a travel company that is obsessed with our travellers, understanding their wants and needs,” said Nisreene Atassi, Sr. Director and Global Head of Communications for Expedia Brand. “Planning a trip shouldn’t be stressful and by promising our unwavering commitment and support, travellers can focus on getting the most out of their vacations once again.”
Joe Jonas comments: “I’ve spent so much of my life on the road – touring the world and playing in virtually every major city. Travelling has always been a personal passion for me, but after more than a year spent at home, I am eager to get back out there. I know that travel is better when I have a great companion to explore with – Expedia gets that too. I’m excited to team up with them to help people feel confident about travelling the world again, whenever they’re ready, by lending a helping hand: one that supports travellers at every step of the way. Because let’s face it – it matters who you travel with.”
As a way of offering a helping hand to communities impacted during the pandemic, Expedia is donating $100,000 USD to Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian organization working on the front lines of crisis, disaster, poverty, and climate change to create a world where everyone can prosper. The donation will provide emergency supplies, food, clean water and support to communities facing the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canadians’ thoughts on returning to travel
Despite vaccination rollouts gaining momentum around the world, travellers are still feeling anxious about planning their first trip. According to Expedia’s Travel Companions Report, 34 per cent of Canadians have been so overwhelmed by planning their next trip, they have put off hitting “book” at least three times and are estimating more than nine hours to plan a trip.
When it comes to getting back out there, travellers noted the importance of getting help understanding travel restrictions and guidelines (46%); having access to information about whether a destination requires vaccinations or testing (59%); easily being able to check the policies of bookings (41%); and interestingly now, more than ever, Canadians say they’re looking for inspiration on where to go when it’s safe (24%). In-trip, reducing stress and anxiety is also a factor. Some of the ways travellers typically combat anxiety, include:
- Listening to music (64%)
- Asking for a helping hand from a fellow traveller (28%)
- Reading (38%)
- Meditating (25%)
- Watching a movie (48%)
Today, it is clear the thirst for travel is real, but support is more important than ever before.
The majority of Canadians (69%) agree that, even before the pandemic, they were grateful for their vacation “helping hands” – the travel companions that guided them to create the best trip possible. When asked which helping hands they missed most, respondents rank their go-to travel app the highest, followed by the drivers, the tour guide, the hotel concierge, and the hotel front desk staff.
“It’s clear from our Travel Companions Report that people put an immense value on feeling taken care of and supported during their journeys and there are so many people in the travel industry that contribute to a traveller’s experience” says Atassi. “At Expedia, we’ve made a number of updates to our site to deliver that reassurance and confidence to our customers, including more self-service tools that provide instant answers and more ways to earn and redeem Rewards points.”
For more information, visit helpinghand.expedia.ca to read our pledge to customers.
© 2021 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia and the Airplane logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. CST# 2029030-50.
SOURCE Expedia.com
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