Travelzoo Announces 'Wow Deal Destinations' for 2010

NEW YORK, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Travelzoo Inc. (Nasdaq: TZOO), a global Internet media company, today announced five destinations its deal experts predict will offer excellent travel value in 2010. The "Wow Deal Destinations" are: Caribbean by Cruise, Central America, China, Las Vegas and South Africa. Results from a travel intentions survey conducted among 1,000 travelers in the U.S. and Canada compelled Travelzoo to release the list. The survey found that 74 percent of respondents will take a vacation this year only if they find a good deal.

"Our travel intentions survey reported that an overwhelming majority of people will need a deal to travel in 2010," said Gabe Saglie, senior editor at Travelzoo. "Travelzoo's worldwide team of deal experts research and verify travel specials released into the market daily. We used this collective knowledge to provide consumers with a comprehensive list of destinations where they can get more for their dollars this year."

Travelzoo predicts the following five destinations to have exceptional value in 2010 based on the rationale below. Market intelligence compiled from over 140 deal experts employed globally by Travelzoo, as well as current and anticipated deals, were the basis for selection.

Caribbean by Cruise: A vacation for less than $50 per night? In 2010, Caribbean cruises will keep producing eye-popping headlines like this. Stiff competition is prompting cruise lines to sweeten deals with onboard credits and kids-free promotions. Not to mention, these "floating hotels" bundle several islands and all meals into one itinerary, eliminating the need for multiple airfares and hotels.

Central America: As Mexico shakes off a year of bad press with travel deals, countries just to its south are offering equally (if not more) compelling reasons to go. The U.S. dollar goes a long way in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama (i.e.: 1 USD = 556 Costa Rica Colones). Plus, major airlines like American Airlines and Continental are adding flights to Central American cities like San Jose, Costa Rica, and Panama City, Panama, causing more seat sales on increased inventory.

China: The 2008 Summer Olympics didn't necessarily translate into the big tourism boom China anticipated. As a result, hotels are slashing rates on their increased inventory, causing deals on luxury rooms as well as vacations that showcase the best of the country. Upon arrival, visitors can also shop and eat like royalty thanks to a favorable exchange rate (i.e. 1 USD = 6.8 China Yen Renminbi).

Las Vegas: Sin City saw a sharp drop in tourism and convention business in 2009 that isn't expected to fully rebound anytime soon. The grand opening of the $8.5 billion CityCenter in December 2009 created will create another 6,000-plus rooms to fill and even more deals to be had going into 2010.

South Africa: Don't expect deals during the FIFA World Cup (June 11-July 11), but airfare and safari vacation deals for travel before and after the games put this locale within easier reach in 2010. Travelzoo's deal experts recently found a six-night safari for $2299 per person, including hotels with breakfast, guided tours, transfers and air from 26 cities -- a $1000 OFF past deals. Additionally, the cost of living in the country is low, allowing the U.S. dollar to go a long way. Sit down lunch can easily cost just $2 (i.e. 1 USD = 7.3 South Africa Rand).

For deals to the above destinations, visit http://www.travelzoo.com/destinations/2010.

Source: Travelzoo Inc. and Travelzoo (Canada) Inc. subscriber survey, December 2009, n=1,000. The survey was sent to random subscribers, completed online and no incentives were offered.

Currency translations conducted on http://www.xe.com on January 5, 2010.

About Travelzoo

Travelzoo Inc. is a global Internet media company. With more than 18 million subscribers in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific and 20 offices worldwide, Travelzoo® publishes deals from more than 2,000 travel and entertainment companies. Travelzoo's deal experts review offers to find the best deals and confirm their true value. In Asia Pacific, Travelzoo is independently owned and operated by Travelzoo (Asia) Ltd. and Travelzoo Japan K.K. under a license agreement with Travelzoo Inc.

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions, markets in which we participate and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts. When used in this press release, the words "expect", "predict", "project", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "seek" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including changes in our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions and other factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. We cannot guarantee any future levels of activity, performance or achievements. Travelzoo undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release. Travelzoo and Top 20 are registered trademarks of Travelzoo. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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    Media Contacts:
    Mandy Gresh
    Travelzoo, North America
    +1 (212) 484-4925
    [email protected]

    Andrea Conrad
    M. Booth Associates
    +1 (212) 481-7000
    [email protected]

SOURCE Travelzoo Inc.