Booming Beach Destinations - From the Mountains of Hawaii to the Florida Keys, the...

Booming Beach Destinations - From the Mountains of Hawaii to the Florida Keys,
the Orbitz Insider Index Uncovers the Fastest-Growing Winter Beach
Destinations

CHICAGO, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With a flip of the calendar, a
new year in travel begins. And while January brings wintery weather to much
of the country, it also gets travelers thinking about the best destinations to
escape the chill. This month, the Insiders at Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com)
have looked to points south, west and overseas to uncover the fastest growing
winter beach destinations(1) and some off-beat insider picks in its January
2008 Orbitz Insider Index.
Topping the list as the fastest growing winter beach domestically is Maui,
Hawaii, which edged out a number of popular winter destinations in Florida.
But the Sunshine State, boasting nearly 700 miles of sandy beaches, delivered
five of the top 10 on the Index. Maui neighbor Kailua-Kona (Big Island, No.
3) gives the Hawaiian Islands two of the top three on the list. Perennial
beach favorites in California, San Diego (No. 5) and Santa Monica (No. 9),
continue to grow in popularity, while South Carolina brings a historic beach
destination to the list with Charleston ranking as the sixth fastest growing
winter beach destination in the U.S.
Outside the U.S., Cozumel, Mexico continues to boom and checked in as the
No. 1 fastest growing international winter beach destination. In fact, Mexico
topped the Caribbean with seven of the top 10, including the top three:
Cozumel, Riviera Maya (No. 2) and Playa del Carmen (No. 3). Jamaica's Negril
Beach, Brazil's Rio De Janeiro and the island of Aruba split up the popular
Mexican beaches, holding the No. 4, 5 and 6 spots respectively.
Orbitz measured percentage growth in number of hotel bookings on
Orbitz.com during winter months (12/21 through 2/28) over a three-year period
to determine its fastest-growing winter beach destinations. Top 10 Fastest
Growing Domestic and International Winter Beach Destinations
Rank U.S. Beach Int'l Beach
Destinations Destinations

1 Maui, HI Cozumel, Mexico

Riviera
2 Daytona Beach, FL Maya/Playa Del
Carmen, Mexico

3 Kailua-Kona (Big Negril, Jamaica
Island), HI

4 Key West, FL Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

5 San Diego, CA Aruba

6 Charleston, SC Cancun, Mexico

7 Fort Lauderdale/Miami FL Acapulco, Mexico

8 Sarasota, FL Ixtapa, Mexico

9 Santa Monica, CA Mazatlan, Mexico

10 Fort Myers, FL Bermuda

Based on percentage growth in hotel bookings on Orbitz.com from 2005 - 2008,
during the period 12/21 - 2/28. Bookings for each year made as of 12/19.
So Many Beaches, So Little Time
Helping keep travelers "A Step Ahead(TM)" as they plan their warm weather
escape, the Orbitz Insiders offer some of their favorite sunbathing spots for
a winter getaway.
Fun For The Family ...
Travelers looking to get away with their families have a myriad of
options, and the Orbitz Insiders highlight some great beaches where the kids
can play while mom and dad relax.
Daytona Beach, FL
The second fastest growing winter beach on Orbitz's list, Daytona's 23
miles of sandy beaches offer many on- and off-the-beach activities for
families. On the beach, there are water sports, a scenic boardwalk and of
course, plenty of sand. Off the beach, families should be sure to visit Angell
and Phelps Chocolate factory for a free tour. This short tour gives a history
of chocolate making and offers free samples at the end of the tour. Any trip
to Daytona would be incomplete without a trip to the Daytona International
Speedway. Home to the Daytona 500 experience, this interactive attraction is
fun for the whole family and is sure to make a NASCAR fan out of anyone who
visits.
Orbitz Insider Tip - Families should be sure to plan ahead when heading to
Daytona as it is a popular spring break destination Also, consider avoiding
or planning for (depending on your tastes) Bike Week, which is scheduled for
February 29 - March 9, 2008.
Check out Orbitz's Family Store (http://family.orbitz.com) for great beach
destination ideas the whole family will enjoy.
Poipu Beach Park, Kauai
An ideal place for families with young children, Poipu Beach is home to
some of the most beautiful sand and surf in the world. The beach features a
natural wading pool which is perfect for younger swimmers. In addition, the
beach is staffed by lifeguards. The area is also great for novice snorkelers,
who can try to catch a glimpse of sea life including sea turtles and monk
seals. Families with older children and teenagers can visit a second area of
the beach which is renowned for great surfing and body boarding. Families
looking to spend the day at the park should pack lunch as there are plenty of
picnic tables for a lunchtime break from the sand. Travelers who like to hit
the links can also visit one of two 18-hole championship golf courses.
Or For Two ...
For couples looking for a romantic beach getaway, here are some Orbitz
Insider favorites.
Pink Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas
What could be more romantic than a beach with pink sand? Pink Beach lives
up to its name and is not simply a scenic area. With temperatures in the 70s
and 80s and reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving, there is more to do than
just admire the sand. After spending time in the surf, couples can stroll
through the historic island. Keep in mind that the island is only accessible
by boat, so visitors must fly into nearby Nassau or North Eleuthera. Because
the island is separate, it is perfect for travelers looking for local flavor.
Visitors can visit Dunmore town for shopping and restaurants featuring local
cuisine.
Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France
Paris may be known as the city of love, but the Promenade des Anglais
("Walk of the English") is the ideal place for couples looking to enjoy both a
vibrant city and a gorgeous beach. Located on the Mediterranean, the beach is
known for being lined with blue and white umbrellas with scenic ocean views.
The city itself has plenty to offer for couples as well. Visitors can head to
one of the many parks, like Le Parc Chambrun, which is known for its tranquil
aura and its "temple of love." Nice is home to delicious seafood and there are
restaurants that offer African and Italian influenced dishes as well. For a
homemade alternative, visit the local markets and enjoy a meal on the beach!
Charleston and Kiawah Island, South Carolina
One of the fastest growing winter beach destinations on the Orbitz Insider
Index, Charleston offers historic charm with seaside flavor, making it a
spectacular romantic getaway. Adventurous couples can suit up at one of the
local companies in town and enjoy sea kayaking for a fun way to experience the
ocean. Vacationers seeking a quieter beach can head to Kiawah Island which
features a 10-mile stretch of stunning sand. Located about an hour from town,
Kiawah offers golf, tennis and fine dining in addition to the sea. Back in
Charleston, a carriage tour or a stroll through the Artists' Gallery of
Charleston are sure to make any romantic vacation unforgettable.
Orbitz Winter Getaway Sale
Now through March 2nd, travelers can save up to 40% on hotels and vacation
packages, as well as an additional $75 off packages including stays of three
or more nights to many destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Florida and
Hawaii. The Orbitz Winter Getaway Sale is good for travel between now and
April 15, 2008. Use promotion code SAVEONSUN to take advantage of the $75
savings offer.
About Orbitz:
Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com) is a leading online travel company that
enables travelers to search for and purchase a broad array of travel products,
including airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation
packages. Since launching its website http://www.orbitz.com to the general
public in June 2001, Orbitz has become one of the largest online travel sites
in the world based on gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can search
more than 80,000 suppliers worldwide including airlines, hotels and car rental
companies. Orbitz is a brand that is owned and operated by Orbitz Worldwide
(NYSE: OWW).
About Orbitz Worldwide:
Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW) is a leading global online travel company
that uses innovative technology to enable leisure and business travelers to
research, plan and book a broad range of travel products. Orbitz Worldwide
owns and operates a portfolio of consumer brands that includes Orbitz
(http://www.orbitz.com), CheapTickets (http://www.cheaptickets.com), ebookers
(http://www.ebookers.com), HotelClub (http://www.hotelclub.com), RatesToGo
(http://www.ratestogo.com) and the Away Network (http://www.away.com) and
corporate travel brand Orbitz for Business (http://www.orbitzforbusiness.com).
(1) Based on percentage growth in hotel bookings on Orbitz.com from the time
period 12/21/05 to 2/28/06, through 12/21/07 through 2/28/08. Bookings for
each year made as of 12/19.
SOURCE Orbitz

Jim Cohn of Orbitz, +1-312-260-8413, jim.cohn@orbitz.com; or David Cohen of
Brodeur, +1-617-587-2877, dcohen@brodeur.com