Eruption disruption: One-in-six Canadians know someone who has been directly impacted by the volcanic eruption in Iceland

Vancouver, BC - In a snapshot poll taken on April 20th and 21st, Ipsos Reid's travel and tourism division found that most Canadians have not been directly impacted by the volcanic eruptions in Iceland and that only a small proportion of Canadians will have their upcoming travel plans affected if the volcano continues to be active.

One-in-six (16%) Canadians personally know someone who is stuck in Europe and cannot get home. Among those who know someone stuck in Europe, the person who is stuck is most likely to be a friend (33%), family member (32%), an acquaintance (30%) or a work colleague (19%). The amount of time that people have been stuck in Europe is most likely to be either a few days (43%) or almost a week (45%).

Dave Pierzchala, Vice President of Ipsos' travel team explains, "These results indicate that the eruptions have made for trying times for not only those stuck in Europe, but also for the one-in-six Canadians who are awaiting the safe return of friends and loved ones".

4% of Canadians plan to travel to Europe in the next month and nearly two-thirds (62%) of those prospective travellers are concerned that their upcoming flight will be postponed or cancelled. Additionally, the eruptions have caused 6% of Canadians to rethink the viability of flying to or through Europe in the next year.

Dave Pierzchala, Vice President of Ipsos' travel team explains, "The present situation has both airlines and travellers concerned for the longer-term implications for European travel. If the volcano flares up again in the near future, travellers will be forced to re-examine their options in respect to European-based flights."

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid online poll conducted from April 20, 2010 to April 21, 2010 with 605 Canadian adults (18+). Weighting was employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release and Ipsos travel research, please contact:
Dave Pierzchala
Vice President
Ipsos Marketing - Travel
(778) 373-5006
[email protected]

For full tabular results of this news release, please visit our website at www.ipsos-na.com/news-polls/

About Ipsos Marketing - Travel

Whether your focus is on business or leisure travelers, suppliers or intermediaries - Ipsos Marketing's travel and tourism practice understands the true dynamics of your market. Our dedicated travel and tourism experts provide customized design and analytic expertise for challenges such as market segmentation, new product development and brand health. Ipsos' research specialists also offer syndicated studies specific to your industry, and always deliver actionable insights that help you grow your business.

Our team of market research professionals has experience managing strategic and tactical research on behalf of dedicated clients, an international reputation and a passion for travel and tourism research.

Learn more at www.ipsosmarketing.com/industryservices/travel.aspx.

About Ipsos in North America

Ipsos is one of the fastest growing market research companies in the U.S., market leader in Canada, and among the most trusted research brands in North America. With more than 1,500 professionals and support staff in the U.S. and Canada, Ipsos offers a suite of survey- based services--guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies--in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos companies offer a complete line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services.

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