SEATTLE, Wash., May 4, 2021 – As Americans look to brighter days ahead, today, 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 today 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.
“It’s going to take time for travelers 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 travelers 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 travelers, 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, travelers 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. Traveling 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 traveling the world again, whenever they’re ready, by lending a helping hand: one that supports travelers 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 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:
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.
“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 traveler’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 Expedia.com to read our pledge to customers.
Notes to Editor:
About the Travel Companions Study
Expedia’s Travel Companions report was launched to discover attitudes to travel in 2021. OnePoll surveyed 2000 adult respondents in the USA, who have been on holiday as an adult. Dates of survey: 1st – 7th April 2021.
Traveller wellbeing is our priority. Expedia understands how the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect travelers everywhere, as well as the importance of abiding by government restrictions and practicing social distancing. Travellers can visit the Expedia COVID-19 travel resource page for information to make informed travel decisions. for information to make informed travel decisions.
Expedia.com® is one of the world’s leading full-service travel brands, with a mission of helping travelers get the most out of every trip they take by providing everything they need all in one place, ensuring they are getting the most out of their budget and above all else, feel supported every step of the way.
Our commitment to insights matched with our unprecedented scale allows us to understand our travelers better than anyone else, delivering exactly what they need, when they need it. Our personalized experiences backed by incredible technology, enables us to deliver the widest selection of product offerings across accommodations, transportation, activities, and experiences, that help you get the most out of your journey.
Use our mobile app or visit http://www.expedia.com to plan your journey with us.
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