LONDON, January 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
When planning your holiday this January, it might be worth spending just as much time considering which companion you take with you as searching for your dream destination.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160120/324107 )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160120/324108 )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160120/324109 )
New research from the British Airways American Express® Card has found that the travel experience is defined as much by your companion as by the destination itself, with 82% of Brits saying that the person they choose to travel with is as important as where they choose to go.
However, over a third (36%) say that they struggle to find a destination that suits the interests of both holidaygoers - whether that travel companion is a partner, family member or friend.
With 36 million Brits planning to get away in 2016, and the average spend per holiday amounting to £1,350 in total, making sure you and your companion's travel interests are catered for, is key.
Which is why American Express has partnered with renowned publisher Phaidon, to create a travel guide with a difference. Companion features ten of the most exciting cities in the world explored from the differing perspectives of the insiders who live and work there. In it, late night rock 'n' roll is reconciled with healthy living in Reykjavik, the urban scene is contrasted with the splendid isolation on offer in Vancouver and the worlds of high fashion and films are championed in Sao Paulo.
Designed to satisfy the diverse interests of travelling companions, the guide is inspired by the Companion Voucher, a British Airways Amex Card benefit that provides a complimentary second seat companion on a British Airways flight. The result is an insider's guide to the must-see cities to visit with partners, family and friends from creative visionaries across the world including Ferran and Albert Andrià, renowned chefs and the inspirational founders of celebrated restaurant elBulli and British photographer and Magnum Photos president Martin Parr.
The Ten Companion Trips of 2016 are:
City Companion guide insider insights
Berlin Photography and nightlife
Barcelona Architecture and food
Amsterdam Shopping and design
São Paulo Cinema and fashion
Rome Architecture and pizza
Reykjavik Food and coastal landscapes
Vancouver Outdoors and city life
New York Eating and drinking
Los Angeles Photography and art
Hong Kong Design and Asian cuisine
Heather Laverne, British Airways American Express® Card, says: "Holiday time is precious so finding a destination that caters to the differing interests of you and your companion is crucial. The Companion guide is designed to inspire those travelling together in 2016 with recommendations from insiders who can offer new perspectives on some popular city destinations. We hope that the guide will help travellers cater to the differing interests of their companions but also tempt them to explore something new."
Mat Smith, Phaidon's Digital Editorial Director, says: "At Phaidon we were excited to create Companion because we see the desires of our travel companions as something to embrace, an opportunity to explore the unexpected and a chance to enjoy, quite literally, a different view. Use the expertise of our network of creatives and their associates to fast track yourself to the best each city has to offer."
The COMPANION travel guide is available online from 20th January 2016 and free to download at http://www.americanexpress.co.uk/companions
* One Poll study of a representative sample of 2,000 UK residents December 2015
About the Companion Voucher
When you spend £10,000 on your British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card within a Card anniversary year you will receive a Companion Voucher, which you can use to take a companion with you in the same flight and cabin when you use your Avios for a British Airways reward flight*.
Get 1.5 Avios for virtually every £1 spent on your Card and a 25,000 bonus Avios welcome offer when you spend £3,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership. A companion trip to Berlin (9,000 Avios) or Rome (15,000 Avios) could be closer than you think.
*Taxes, fees and charges apply.
About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
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