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