Expedia Group launches tool to check global travel restrictions

Expedia Group introduced COVID-19 Travel Advisor, a technology tool that provides consumers with current details on travel restrictions around the world. Powered by sherpa˚, the COVID-19 Travel Advisor can be accessed across various Expedia Group consumer brands to simplify the experience for people seeking guidance on destinations they expect or plan to visit, such as quarantine and testing requirements. COVID-19. Expedia Group experienced initial success in its pilot phase, with more than 1.6 million travelers using the COVID-19 Travel Advisor across all brands since November 2020.

"Right now, many people are considering booking travel as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, but at the same time, they are inundated with conflicting information on where and how they can safely travel."

According to a recent study by Expedia Group Media Solutions, travelers turn to OTAs to plan travel almost 25% more than in the case of a pandemic. In March 2021, Expedia Group saw more than 1.7 million clicks on travel advisories on the site, an increase of 97% from the previous month. To rebuild traveler confidence in the wake of COVID-19, Expedia Group continues to expand solutions designed to communicate information on restrictions and security measures, such as the COVID-19 Travel Advisor.

"Right now, many people are considering booking travel as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, but at the same time, they are inundated with conflicting information about where and how they can safely travel," said Stacey Symonds, Director. senior of experience. Insights, Expedia Group. “Finding these details from a trusted source can be challenging, so we partnered with sherpa˚ to seamlessly integrate a solution into our applications, websites, and customer communications. Our goal is to reduce friction for travelers during a time when they need additional support and empower them to make responsible decisions. ”

"Travel is critical to our global economy and an important part of the human connection," said Max Tremaine, co-founder and CEO of sherpa˚. “Since the pandemic began, our focus has remained firmly on helping our travel partners restore consumer confidence and trust in travel. This partnership with Expedia Group exemplifies our shared goals and speaks to Expedia Group's commitment to driving global travel for everyone, everywhere. "