FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Lotz
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5019
jlotz@neworleanscvb.com

Jennifer Tolchin
Weber Shandwick
212-445-8336
jtolchin@webershandwick.com

NEW ORLEANS PARTICIPATING IN FIRST-EVER
INDUSTRY-WIDE PROMOTION TO STIMULATE TRAVEL

DAILYGETAWAYS.COM FEATURES ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP EXPERIENCES AND LIMITED TIME TRAVEL VALUES FROM LEADING BRANDS

NEW ORLEANS – May 13, 2010– New Orleans is participating in a unique, one-month promotion through a specially created website, DailyGetaways.com, joining nearly 50 of America’s top destinations and travel brands to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences and tremendous values unavailable anywhere else.

Discover America Daily Getaways, a promotion of the U.S. Travel Association sponsored by American Express, runs May 3 to June 4. Consumers can bid on the New Orleans trip on May 24, 2010. Aimed at stimulating travel in time for summer, it offers incredible deals of up to 50 percent off products from leading travel companies and memorable experiences from popular destinations.

New Orleans is offering a memorable Mardi Gras-themed travel package that will be available for auction to American Express Cardmembers on May 24, 2010, through DailyGetaways.com. The package entails:

Five nights deluxe Mardi Gras accommodations for two on the Concierge Level of the Marriott New Orleans Hotel March 4-9, 2011; limo to and from airport; the ultimate Mardi Gras Float Experience in Harry Connick, Jr.’s Krewe of Orpheus Parade for two riders; includes two memberships in the Krewe of Orpheus and riding in their elaborate parade on Monday, March 7, 2011; custom costumes to wear and beads to throw; two tickets to the Black Tie Extravaganza Ball following the parade; cocktails and show at the Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse in the Royal Sonesta Hotel; invitation for two to private Mardi Gras Party on Bourbon Street Balcony – Mardi Gras Day; VIP Passes to New Orleans attractions; cocktails and show at Davenport’s Jazz Club in the Ritz Carlton Hotel; dinner for two at the famous Arnaud’s Restaurant.

"We are using every marketing means possible to illustrate the value of travel,” said Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the New Orleans CVB and executive committee member of the U.S. Travel Association. “The winner of the DailyGetaways.com New Orleans package will be given the opportunity to experience all of the essential aspects of New Orleans that make this city authentic and mesmerizing. New Orleans is a sensory place where travelers can be a little bit different and let their everyday pressures and boundaries melt away.”

Any U.S. resident 18 or older with a major credit card may purchase from an inventory of specially priced travel products offered by 25 leading travel companies related to hotels, airlines, rental cars, attractions and theme parks, dining and shopping, among others.

Additionally, all American Express Cardmembers have the opportunity to participate in a daily Cardmember-only auction. Cardmembers can bid on travel packages arranged by two dozen cities.

“Discover America Daily Getaways is a win-win for consumers and the industry,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “With the challenges everyone has faced, the travel industry is coming together for the first time ever to provide a unique, limited-time opportunity for Americans to buy products and take a trip they may not have considered the past couple years.”

“With travel and tourism being major drivers of the U.S. economy, American Express is committed to supporting our partners in the industry, and this partnership with the U.S. Travel Association helps achieve that goal,” said Shane Berry, senior vice president and general manager, American Express Merchant Services. “We’re also pleased to provide our Cardmembers with this exciting added benefit where they’ll receive access to once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities. We encourage everyone interested in travel to visit www.DailyGetaways.com and take advantage of the great offers made possible by the travel industry.”

DailyGetaways.com features travel offers for sale at significant value from a different leading brand each weekday until the limited inventory is sold out. At the same time, American Express Cardmembers can also bid on a different unique city travel package being offered each weekday. The auctions will begin each weekday at 10 a.m. EDT and end at 10 p.m. EDT.

Upcoming products and auctions will preview five days in advance for consumers who want to be sure to capture these one of a kind deals. Consumers can also signup for daily alerts at DailyGetaways.com.

Additional deals and special travel offers from Daily Getaway participants are available on DiscoverAmerica.com, the official travel and tourism website of the United States. DiscoverAmerica.com is the nation’s most authoritative source of travel information on all 50 states and more than 120 U.S. cities and includes unique trip-planning tools to help travelers plan vacations.

About the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
The New Orleans CVB is the driving catalyst for New Orleans’ largest industry – tourism - strategically leading national and international marketing, public relations and visitor services efforts that attract millions of visitors, events, conventions and festivals. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

About U.S. Travel Association
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $704 billion travel industry. U.S. Travel’s mission is to increase travel to and within the United States. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express-branded Cards.

About DiscoverAmerica.com
Discover America, LLC is a wholly owned entity of the U.S. Travel Association and operates DiscoverAmerica.com, the Official Travel and Tourism Website of the United States, for U.S. resident travelers and for international travelers. The international sites were developed under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce in the five leading inbound markets to the United States. The website’s content is presently available in five languages: English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese. For more information, visit www.DiscoverAmerica.com.

Discover America Daily Getaway and “Once-In-A-Lifetime” Trips Available From:
Alamo
Avis
Best Western
Choice Hotels
CityPASS, Inc.
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Radisson
Delaware North Companies
Delta Air Lines
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Gaylord Hotels
Harrah’s Entertainment
Hertz
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Loews Hotels
Marriott International
Marriott Vacation Club
MGM MIRAGE
Omni Hotels & Resorts
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Shop America Tours
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
United Airlines
Universal Studios
Wyndham Rewards
Atlanta
Austin
Chicago
Ft. Lauderdale
Ft. Worth
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Houston
Indianapolis
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Memphis
Miami
Nashville
New York
New Orleans
Orlando
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Portland
San Antonio
San Francisco
Seattle
Steamboat Springs
Tampa Bay
Virginia Beach