SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 16, 2006–Travelocity employees are pausing today to say thanks to the people around the world who have taken them on the trip of a lifetime over the last 10 years: their customers.
To show its appreciation, Travelocity (www.travelocity.com) announces the “Travelocity Turns Ten Getaway Giveaway” to dreamy destinations around the world. In addition to giving travelers a chance to take an envy-inducing vacation, the sweepstakes further exemplifies Travelocity’s metamorphosis. Once considered merely a way to book a flight, Travelocity today is an all encompassing resource for great travel experiences backed by 24/7 customer care.
“Our customers have helped us grow into one of the world’s largest travel companies in just 10 years,” said Michelle Peluso, Travelocity president and CEO. “On behalf of our team of more than 5,000 professionals across the globe, I want to personally thank all of the millions of people who have booked with us during our first decade. We will remain passionate about offering amazing experiences and standing behind our customers’ trips every step of the way.”
Travelocity Retro: A Decade of Online Travel
Today’s focus on customer service and complete travel experiences offers a contrast to the first online demos Travelocity executives gave to a handful of curious onlookers and bystanders at a launch event at Cyber Cafe in New York on March 12, 1996.
One of Travelocity’s first customers, Tom Caddoo, of Charlotte, N.C., booked his first trip on Travelocity a little more than two weeks after the site launched. For Caddoo, shopping and booking a trip completely on his own for the first time was a welcome advancement.
“When I first booked with Travelocity, I loved the independence the site afforded, allowing me to book anytime,” he said. “Ten years later, I remain loyal to Travelocity and appreciate how it has continually enhanced its offerings and customer service.”
Those expanded offerings include thousands of dynamic vacation packages that can be booked in advance or at the last minute with a wide variety of activities to choose from to round out the experience fully. Recently, Travelocity even gave travelers the ability to book such activities as a Vegas show a la carte. And one of Travelocity’s newest enhancements, MeetMe In…(SM), gives consumers traveling from two departure cities the convenience and flexibility of planning and booking a getaway together on a single itinerary.
Travelocity Turns Ten Getaway Giveaway
To commemorate Travelocity’s 10th birthday, travelers can enter to win an action-packed experience to Cancun’s Mayan Riviera, Barbados, Las Vegas, Orlando, or a cruise. No purchase is necessary to enter. The winner will choose their prize trip from among several options provided by Travelocity. The deadline to enter the sweepstakes is April 15th. Included among the adventures:
-- Enjoy a four-night stay for two in a junior suite with an
ocean view at the superb Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, an
adults-only 24-hour all-inclusive luxury resort in the Mayan
Riviera. Cliff dive (or just rope swing) and tour the seaside
pyramid ruins of Tulum on a Pyramids Tour.
-- Be pampered during a seven-night cruise for two to the
Caribbean. Enjoy lavish spas and enjoy the seaside view from
private quarters including a premium ocean view stateroom.
-- Arrive at your suite at THEhotel in Vegas in a limo for a
four-night stay where you and a lucky guest will sing along to
"Dancing Queen" at the Mamma Mia! show and weave through the
majestic Grand Canyon on a private helicopter tour from
Maverick Helicopter Tours.
-- Stay at the Peabody Orlando hotel and see Disney's Animal
Kingdom Theme Park and its latest attraction, Expedition
Everest, opening spring 2006. Also, while in Orlando, take a
"Swim Where the Manatees Live" tour and visit the Kennedy
Space Center where you can enjoy "Lunch with an Astronaut."
-- During a five-night stay for two at Almond Beach Village or
Almond Beach Club and Spa - one of the premier all-inclusive
resorts in the Caribbean - take a Land Rover off-road through
the Barbados countryside, play a round of golf at the Barbados
Golf Club, and zip around the famed shipwrecks and sea
creatures of Barbados's Carlisle Bay through Atlantis Power
Snorkel.
For additional information on any of the offers featured in the “Travelocity Turns Ten Getaway Giveaway” sweepstakes and for complete contest rules, see www.travelocity.com/tenyear.
Travelocity 1996 vs. Travelocity 2006 Travel Offerings: Then: Flights Now: Flights; Hotels; Car Rentals; Cruises; Vacation Packages: Last Minute Packages; Activities; Show Tickets Tagline Then: "Maximum power for the do-it-yourself traveler" Now: "You'll never roam alone" Logo Then: Multi-colored wavy line set on a black rectangle Now: Guiding stars set on the dark blue sky Mascot Then: None Now: The Roaming Gnome
About Travelocity
Travelocity(R) 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(R) 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.
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Judy Haveson, 212-715-2222
judy@vollmerpr.com
or
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amanda@vollmerpr.com
SOURCE: Travelocity
