May 6 - As Canadians look to brighter days ahead and continue to dream about future travel, 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 on May 4z 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.

 

 

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.

 

For more information, visit helpinghand.expedia.ca to read our pledge to customers.

 

May 6 - As Americans look to brighter days ahead, Expedia® launches its Travel Companions Report in collaboration with singer, songwriter and actor, Joe Jonas.

 

The report uncovers 80% of American adults feel stressed at the thought of booking international trips, and 60% state they need a helping hand when booking travel compared to pre-COVID. And so, Expedia and Joe Jonas are teaming up to offer travelers an actual Helping Hand to help reduce stress as they make their way back out there.

 

 

Available on May 4 in extremely limited quantities are 250 exact replicas of Joe Jonas’ right hand, created to symbolize the support and reassurance Expedia aims to bring to travelers. 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.com.

 

 

As a way of offering a helping hand to communities impacted during the pandemic, Expedia is donating USD $100,000 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.

 

Americans' thoughts on returning to travel

Despite vaccination rollouts gaining momentum around the world, travelers are still feeling anxious about planning their first trip. According to Expedia's Travel Companions Report, most Americans (57%) have been so overwhelmed by planning their next trip, they have put off hitting "book" three or four times and are estimating needing 10+ hours to plan a trip.

 

When it comes to getting back out there, travelers noted the importance of getting help understanding travel restrictions and guidelines (30%); having access to information about whether a destination requires vaccinations or testing (29%); easily being able to check the policies of bookings (27%); and interestingly now, more than ever, Americans say they’re looking for inspiration on where to go when it’s safe (27%). In-trip, reducing stress and anxiety is also a factor. Some of the ways travelers typically combat anxiety, include:

• Listening to music (44%)
• Asking for a helping hand from a fellow traveler (44%)
• Reading (41%)
• Meditating (40%)
• Watching a movie (40%)

 

 

Today, it is clear the thirst for travel is real, but support is more important than ever before.

 

Most Americans (60%) 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.

 

For more information, visit Expedia.com to read our pledge to customers.

 

 

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