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Expedia.com and the National Park Foundation 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.
Also announced 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.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
