Smart Destinations Launches Groundbreaking Mobile Ticketing Platform at More than 400 Attractions in Major U.S. Travel Destinations

BOSTON, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart Destinations today released a groundbreaking mobile platform that turns any smartphone into an instant, money-saving pass for guests at more than 400 museums, tours and top attractions in major U.S. cities.

The patent-pending Go Select mobile platform is the industry's first real-time dynamic mobile ticket pricing and validation system that is already accepted at the industry's largest network of attraction partners, including Boston's Museum of Science, Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bay Cruise, and the NBC Studio Tour in New York.

"Our attraction partners now have access to the massive amount of travelers who expect the convenience and security of instant ticketing on their phones," said Kevin McLaughlin, CEO and co-founder of Smart Destinations. "It's the only such platform for attractions that combines real-time dynamic pricing and validation with the convenience of secure paperless ticketing."

Today's launch at GoSelectPass.com means attractions nationwide can instantly accept mobile passes at their gates, while their guests enjoy big savings and flexibility of simply showing their phone for admission. A recent PhoCusWright study found three out of four travelers already use a mobile device while on business or leisure travel, and eMarketer predicts that 15.1 million Americans will book travel using their smartphone this year.

Go Select includes major attractions in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Oahu, Miami and Orlando, with more cities being added in the coming weeks.

YEARS OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Since 2003, SmartDestinations.com has built the industry's largest network of popular tourist destinations using its proprietary dynamic pricing and packaging technology. More than 1.25 million travelers have used the company's popular Go City Cards to save money on ticket prices, get extra discounts at restaurants and gift shops and enjoy the convenience of admissions passes to dozens of attractions through one card at one low price.

Now the company's partners and mobile customers and can take full advantage of the technological ease of instantaneous ticketing on a single phone – while competitors are still forcing customers to use flimsy coupon books that are easily lost or damaged.

ATTRACTIONS GET MOBILE QUICKLY AND EASILY
For attraction partners, Go Select is easy to implement, saving both time and money for the attraction, as well as guests. That's because admission fees are immediately credited to the attraction upon admission with secure, digital ticketing – avoiding the extra hassle of submitting paper vouchers for reimbursement. It also speeds ticket purchase lines as guests arrive with their pass in hand.

Plus, the system is more secure than paper tickets that can easily be photocopied or counterfeited and Go Select is the only platform in the world that allows multiple attractions to be purchased on a single QR code to be scanned at gates. No printing is needed–unlike other mobile purchasing solutions.

"It's fantastic that we can now welcome guests who have purchased Go Select passes through the convenience of mobile," said Deleyse Langdale, associate director of travel industry sales at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. "By partnering with SmartDestinations, the implementation for us was simple and the timing was just right as we gear up for the summer travel season. We expect this to catch on fast."

TRAVELERS GET GUARANTEED SAVINGS AND CONVENIENCE
"Go Select is the only mobile technology platform of its kind that allows guests to buy and redeem multiple attraction tickets all from their smartphone and get guaranteed savings off the gate price," McLaughlin said.

To get mobile passes, travelers simply:

• Use their smartphone to choose the attractions they want to see (2 or more),
• Pay one low, dynamically generated price for admission to all,
• Receive a secure QR code immediately on their phone for scanning at the front desk or admission gate upon arrival at each attraction, similar to an airline mobile boarding pass.

The more attractions travelers add to the pass, the more they can save—up to 40 percent off the retail cost of admission at the gate. Plus, at many attractions, Go Select Pass holders can skip the ticket line, as they already have a pre-paid ticket, saving both time and money.

Go Select provides all visitors with full access to photos, maps, directions, hours and other insider tips about all the attractions plus much more at no cost. The passes are available now at GoSelectPass.com and will soon be available as iPhone, Ipad, and Android apps.

About Smart Destinations
Smart Destinations provides the only multi-attraction passes that maximize the fun, savings and convenience of sightseeing with flexible purchase options for every type of traveler. Available online and at walk-up retail outlets, Smart Destinations passes, including Go City Cards, Explorer Pass and for your smartphone, Go Select, provide admission to more than 400 attractions across nine North American destinations, including New York, Orlando, San Diego, Chicago and Boston. All passes come with valuable extras, including the ability to skip the line at select attractions and comprehensive city guides that offer insider tips. Smart Destinations passes leverage the company's patented technology and the industry's largest network of attraction partners to save consumers up to 55 percent compared to purchasing individual tickets. The company is headquartered in Boston, MA. For more information, visit www.smartdestinations.com.

SOURCE Smart Destinations