CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading online travel company Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE:OWW) has partnered with the Bermuda Tourism Authority to launch "Orbitz Originals: Bermuda – Proper Fun," a seven-part online video series that is co-hosted by award-winning travel experts Richard Bangs and Lisa Ellen Niver and is available for viewing at Orbitz.com/Bermuda. Supported by hotel discounts of up to 20 percent and substantial flight and hotel package savings, this eleventh installment of the "Orbitz Originals" series once again uses the power of online video to inspire travelers and increase bookings to this beautiful Atlantic destination located less than two hours off the East Coast of the U.S.
Research continues to point to the importance of destination video content in consumers' purchasing behavior. YouTube has seen views of travel content spike by 118 percent year-over-year, according to a recent study and whitepaper released by Google.1 The study also found that two out of three U.S. consumers watch online travel videos when they're thinking about taking a trip, and that "searches on YouTube generally occur earlier in the travel-planning process…a strong video strategy can help brands reach, inspire and engage today's digitally savvy traveler in more ways than ever before." "Orbitz Originals: Bermuda – Proper Fun," shows off the tropical paradise's many accommodations and activities, created to entice travelers to take a trip and experience it all for themselves.
Select highlights from the seven-part series:
- "Proper Fun in Bermuda" gives viewers an overview of all that the island has to offer, from its pink sand beaches and world-class golf courses to its fine dining and many ways to unwind.
- "Proper Food, Only in Bermuda" explores the tide-to-table and farm-to-fork local dining scene, with its authentic flavors of the sea and luxurious drinks and desserts.
- "Bermuda Luxury Hotels" contains Richard's "Gold List" of the top hotels, resorts and spas on the island.
- "Scooting Around Bermuda" showcases the island's 21 square miles on scooter and offers breathtaking views and sights.
"Short of visiting the island, there's no better way to showcase Bermuda's brilliance than video storytelling. Orbitz Originals brings the beauty and experience of Bermuda to a new generation of travelers – and the videos are designed to inspire them to make their next trip to the island," said Victoria Isley, chief sales & marketing officer at the Bermuda Tourism Authority. "As a trusted media partner and travel brand, Orbitz can also assist in the booking of those trips. From cliff jumping at Admiralty House Park and shopping the styles of the City of Hamilton to sipping a Rum Swizzle at the Swizzle Inn and enjoying a bite of the famous Art Mel's Spicy Dicy fish sandwich, the options for having 'Proper Fun' in Bermuda are endless."
To date, "Orbitz Originals" videos highlighting Cancun, the Cayman Islands, Qatar Airways, Vermont, Western Ireland, New York, Northern Ireland, Bradenton, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Jackson Hole have been viewed over 1.2 million times by travelers seeking inspiration for future trips. Bookings to those destinations have experienced double-digit growth over the life of each campaign.
"We want each new edition of the 'Orbitz Originals' series to really capture the destination and use video to provide a unique perspective and inspire travelers to visit," said Josh Winkler, Orbitz Worldwide vice president of partner marketing. "In the case of Bermuda, Richard and Lisa combine their travel expertise to provide a fun look at this popular destination and give travelers a real sense of life on the island."
1Travel Content Takes Off on YouTube, Google and Ipsos MediaCT (August 2014)
About Orbitz.com
Orbitz.com is a leading travel website that enables consumers to search for and book a broad range of hotels, flights, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages and destination activities. Since launching in June 2001, Orbitz.com has become one of the world's largest online travel sites. Orbitz.com now offers the groundbreaking Orbitz Rewards loyalty program—the only program where customers can earn rewards immediately on flights, hotels and packages, and redeem instantly on tens of thousands of hotels worldwide. Use the Orbitz Rewards Visa® Card to earn even more rewards. Orbitz.com is the #1 way to book travel on mobile devices, be it using our apps (get them at orbitz.com/mobile) or our smartphone-optimized website (m.orbitz.com), both of which are tailored for smartphones and tablets. The Orbitz app won the 2014 Appy Award for best travel app. Orbitz also ranks #1 in Online Travel Website Customer Satisfaction in the 2014 American Customer Satisfaction Index. Follow Orbitz on Facebook, Twitter and through the Orbitz Travel Blog. Orbitz.com is operated by Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE:OWW).
About Orbitz Worldwide
Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE:OWW) is a leading global online travel company using technology to transform the way consumers around the world plan and purchase travel. Orbitz Worldwide operates the consumer travel planning sites Orbitz (orbitz.com), ebookers (ebookers.com), HotelClub (hotelclub.com) and CheapTickets (cheaptickets.com). Also within the Orbitz Worldwide family, Orbitz Partner Network (orbitzpartnernetwork.com) delivers private label travel technology solutions to a broad range of partners including some of the world's largest airlines, bank loyalty programs and travel agencies, and Orbitz for Business (orbitzforbusiness.com) delivers managed travel solutions for companies of all sizes. Orbitz Worldwide makes investor relations information available at investors.orbitz.com.
About Bermuda
Just under two hours from East Coast gateway cities, Bermuda stretches for 21 miles along turquoise waters and is surrounded by a 200-square-mile coral reef plateau. The destination's accommodations range from luxury resorts to intimate guest cottages and family-run inns, all incorporating the sophistication and hospitality unique to the Bermuda experience. The island includes more than 150 restaurants to fit any traveler's budget, from simple and inexpensive to elegant and special dining. Bermuda's diverse activities offer an array of vacation options all year round, including more wreck dives and more golf per square mile than anywhere else in the world, renowned deep sea fishing, luxurious spas and smooth pink beaches. For information visit www.gotobermuda.com, www.facebook.com/BermudaTourism or www.twitter.com/GoToBermuda.