Expedia has launched a campaign to entice those working from home to combine a vacation with work.
One of the world’s largest travel websites has launched a dual-pronged promo to get record numbers of people who are currently working remotely to think outside the box –and to also pump new life into the struggling tourism industry.
In a year where the pandemic has reshaped so many aspects of our daily lives, Expedia is urging employees to take their work-from-home gig on the road and turn it into a work from here adventure that combines business and pleasure.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced an unprecedented shift in how and where many workers complete their daily ‘9-5,’” said Nisreene Atassi, senior director of communications at Expedia, who added that the “Work from Here” campaign is aimed at work-from-anywhere professionals who can get their jobs done as long as they have a laptop and a good Wi-Fi connection.
The program “allows employees the freedom to balance work with travel,” Atassi said. “We want to inspire workers to think differently about their workspaces to create happier, more productive experiences, which would benefit not only employees but also employers.”
The Hook
To jumpstart the idea, at 8:20 p.m. on Monday (Dec. 14), Expedia will offer two-week trips to select resorts in Key West, Arizona or South Carolina to six lucky applicants for just $20.20, noting that the April excursions are “sure to sell out quickly.”
But beyond the sweepstakes-like contest, Expedia is clearly trying to get people to think differently by appealing to the “wanderer mindset” of the working masses, encouraging house-bound employees to explore new places, sites and scenery.
The company said the idea stemmed from a survey of 1,000 people who sought to identify the dreams and benefits employees would realize from a temporary relocation. According to the study, three out of four remote workers said they would like a more exotic office view, nearly seven in 10 said they would leave the family behind to do so, and two-third of workers said their productivity would improve when they were stationed in paradise – as would their relationships with their partners and kids.
The Timing
The “Work from Here” proposition comes at a time when state and local travel restrictions are again rising in the face of record daily case counts and deaths from COVID-19. It also comes in a year that has seen the global pandemic reduce flight and travel bookings by 70 percent, with no near-term rebound in sight.
“Although the progress we are seeing leaves me optimistic on the long-term outlook for our industry, I continue to recognize that it will likely be years — and not quarters — before the travel market returns to pre-COVID volumes,” Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel said on the company’s third-quarter earnings call last month.
That optimistic long-term outlook for tourism was paired with short-term enthusiasm for the industry via shares of Airbnb last week, which priced its over-subscribed $47 billion IPO amid the present slump.
“We believe the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced that travel is an enduring human desire, even in the face of challenges,” Airbnb said in its S-1 filing with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). “People have increasingly sought travel options closer to home during COVID-19, and Airbnb’s offerings are well-suited to adapt to this changing dynamic.”
Changing Dynamic Or Lasting Trend?
While there’s no question that the pandemic has caused immense upheaval to the way we live, work, shop and eat, there is still widespread uncertainty as to how lasting or sticky these lifestyle changes will prove to be once the coronavirus risk has subsided.
While there is no way to know for sure, numerous experts and studies have shown that at least some of the digital shift and remote working trend will outlast COVID and become part of the new normal.
If that’s right, then the mindset changes fostered by Expedia’s “Work from Here” promo could prove to be a long-term boon to business.
As the calendar flips to March, college basketball fans are gearing up for another exhilarating NCAA tournament.
In the future, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology could change March Madness as we know it. Let’s break down how the digital revolution could transform the Big Dance.
AI is already being used to predict brackets. Gone are the days of agonizing over your picks based on team mascots or your alma mater’s colors. In 2025, AI-powered bracketology is the name of the game. Fans can use algorithms that crunch data points, from player statistics to historical upset probabilities, all at the click of a button.
But beware, bracket enthusiasts. While these AI tools promise to boost your chances of winning the office pool, they can’t account for the quintessential March Madness chaos. You know, the instance where AI can predict everything except the inevitable Cinderella story that ruins everyone’s bracket by the second round.
In a move that would be sure to ruffle some feathers, AI-generated commentary could be used for games. Digital play-by-play announcers would never need a bathroom break and potentially be able to recall obscure statistics from the 1957 tournament in an instant.
Can’t make it to the Final Four? Ten years from now, games might happen in a digital stadium, Forbes reported. With virtual reality (VR) technology, fans could experience the thrill of courtside seats from the comfort of their living rooms.
“AI-generated athletes, inspired by the procedural generation techniques of video game developers … could perform in virtual arenas, exhibiting strategies and plays conceived by advanced predictive algorithms,” Forbes reported.
Just be careful not to get too caught up in the moment with streaming. Wouldn’t want to have reports of fans attempting to rush the virtual court after buzzer-beaters have led to an uptick in living room injuries — especially when that flat screen falls over.
While human coaches still call the shots, AI assistants could one day be indispensable members of the coaching staff. In the next five years, these digital strategists could analyze opponent tendencies and more.
“Building on existing technologies … AI will provide coaches and players with intricate, multi-dimensional data patterns that dramatically enhance both offensive and defensive strategies,” Forbes reported. “These advanced algorithms will analyze vast datasets from numerous games to uncover hidden trends, strategic insights, and predictive cues about opponents’ potential moves.”
Say goodbye to controversial calls. Advanced computer vision systems could assist referees in making split-second decisions, from determining if a player’s toe was on the line for a three-pointer to detecting the slightest touch on a blocked shot.
The Hawk-Eye system is already used in tennis and cricket to help determine fouls, Viso.AI reported.
“This system uses a network of cameras to track the ball and then compares the trajectory of the ball to a virtual model of the playing surface,” the report said. “This system is accurate within a few millimeters, which is much more accurate than the human eye.”
As we dive into March Madness 2025, it’s clear that technology will change the way we experience the tournament. From AI-powered brackets to virtual reality arenas, the digital revolution is coming for basketball. But at its core, the magic of March Madness remains the thrill of competition, the joy of unexpected victories, and the heartbreak of last-second defeats.
So, whether you’re relying on an AI to pick your bracket this year, or screaming at a holographic referee in the future, remember to enjoy the ride. In the unpredictable world of college basketball, sometimes the best strategy is to embrace the madness — digital or otherwise.
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