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
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Related links:
http://www.orbitz.com
http://www.cheaptickets.com http://www.ebookers.com
http://www.hotelclub.com http://www.ratestogo.com
http://www.away.com http://www.orbitzforbusiness.com
CONTACT:
Jim Cohn of Orbitz, +1-312-260-8413,
jim.cohn@orbitz.com; or David Cohen of Brodeur, +1-617-587-2877,
dcohen@brodeur.com
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