BALTIMORE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 5, 2006–Boosting efforts to draw more visitors to Maryland, the Maryland Office of Tourism has entered into an agreement with Travelocity to give visitors an easy and reliable way to book trips to Maryland on www.visitmaryland.org. The new booking functionality provided by Travelocity further enhances the site’s promotion of statewide accommodations, attractions and other tourism initiatives.
As part of the agreement, Maryland will receive a commission from Travelocity for any travel arrangements booked from www.visitmaryland.org. The non-exclusive agreement has been approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works.
“This agreement with a well-respected travel agency like Travelocity will truly put Maryland on the cutting edge, as online travel booking continues to gain popularity,” said Business and Economic Development Secretary Aris Melissaratos. “This is a great opportunity to showcase all that Maryland has to offer, with our world-class hotels and attractions and outstanding destinations.”
Maryland tourism officials decided to align with a web-based travel agency after evaluating a month-long trial run last summer during which www.visitmaryland.org was promoted on Travelocity. The trial run resulted in more than 3,000 room reservations booked, a 300 percent increase over the same time the previous year.
“Travelocity is proud to be playing such a key role in promoting tourism throughout Maryland,” said Richard Harris, senior vice president, strategy and distribution for Travelocity. “We are eager to help show all the state has to offer to travelers everywhere.”
About Travelocity
Travelocity is committed to being the traveler’s champion — before, during and after the trip and guarantees everything about a customer’s booking will be right. If it’s not, Travelocity will work with its partners to make it right, right away. This customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7 phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. — booking $7.4 billion in travel worldwide in 2005. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business(SM) and GetThere for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.
About the Maryland Office of Tourism
The Maryland Office of Tourism promotes Maryland as a great state in which to tour and travel, as well as to hold meetings and conventions. Tourism is one of Maryland’s fastest growing industries and largest economic generators. In 2004, the most current data available, visitors to Maryland generated $10.1 billion in economic impact, $813 million in state and local taxes and provided 115,000 jobs. To learn more about Maryland tourism or to book your Maryland vacation, go to www.visitmaryland.org.
CONTACT: Department of Business & Economic Development
Karen A. Hood, 410-767-6318
kglenn@choosemaryland.org
or
Travelocity, Southlake
Joel Frey, 682-605-2178
joel.frey@travelocity.com
SOURCE: Travelocity and Maryland Office of Tourism
