Expedia.com Announces Partnership with the National Park Foundation
World's Leading Online Travel Site Launches New Resource for National Park Travel
BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Expedia.com(R) and the National Park Foundation today announced the launch of a new online resource to help travelers plan and book vacations to America's National Parks. The site, found at www.expedia.com/nationalparks, provides visitors with information about the National Parks and nearby lodging options available on Expedia.com, as well as suggestions for long weekend itineraries and in-depth articles on "Can't-Miss National Parks." It also features downloadable park maps and other editorial content from the National Park Foundation. Additionally, the site offers visitors a sneak peek video of Ken Burns' documentary, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea," which premieres on PBS on September 27.
"Millions of people plan trips to our National Parks every year, and as the world's leading online travel site, we're in the perfect position to showcase these parks as amazing vacation destinations and offer all the tools travelers need to plan trips to experience them," said Tim MacDonald, senior vice president and general manager, Expedia.com. "Plus, with original content from the National Park Foundation, and more to come, we consider this site a new permanent online home for National Park travel."
"The national parks belong to us all. Whether you want to stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon, sit in the shade of a sequoia, or visit Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home, each of us can find a way to connect with our shared heritage by traveling to a national park," said Neil Mulholland, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "We are very proud to work with Expedia to help people connect to their national parks, especially as Ken Burns' new documentary is about to re-introduce all Americans to the grandeur of the park system."
Expedia.com's National Parks site features an initial five "Can't-Miss National Parks" with photos and comprehensive details for Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Olympic National Park and Yosemite National Park. Just a few examples of the information available for Yosemite National Park include:
Location: Situated in the center of California, Yosemite Park showcases the best of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Start your tour in centrally located Yosemite Village.
Flora & Fauna: The mountains, valleys, and coniferous forests of Yosemite Park harbor animals from bighorn sheep to bobcats.
Did You Know? Yosemite travel is best in spring, during the snowmelt, when the park's famous waterfalls are at their peak.
Things to Do: Hike to Mariposa Grove where you'll discover hundreds of giant sequoia--among the tallest and longest-lived trees in the world.
Stay In or Near the Park: The Ahwahnee in Yosemite Village, Calif.; Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp, Calif.
Also announced today is a new sweepstakes offering a chance to win a VIP vacation to Yosemite National Park. All travelers need to do to enter is book a stay at any participating Starwood Hotels & Resorts property - including brands such as Westin, Sheraton and W - by October 15, for travel through October 31, 2009, to be automatically entered to win a grand prize trip to Yosemite National Park, including airfare and VIP tours in the park. Travelers can also win one of 20 first prize autographed copies of "National Parks: America's Best Idea" by Dayton Duncan, from the film by Ken Burns. For more information about the sweepstakes or Expedia.com's new National Parks site, visit www.expedia.com/nationalparks.
About The National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation is an independent charitable organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to strengthen the connection between the American people and their 391 national parks. As the official national non-profit partner of America's National Parks, the Foundation raises private funds, makes strategic grants, creates innovative partnerships and increases public awareness about the need and opportunity for park philanthropy. In its 2008 fiscal year, the National Park Foundation distributed grants and program support of $27.3M.
About Expedia.com
Expedia.com is the world's leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide personalized service, the latest technology and the widest selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services. With the Expedia Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com promises to offer to its customers the best rates available online for all types of travel. Expedia.com is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE).
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