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Press Release
Go Chicago™ Card Coming
to Windy City This Spring: Smart Card Pass offering UNLIMITED Admission
To Top Attractions Extends Boston, San Francisco Success
Top Chicago Attractions Queued Up to Participate
in Go Chicago Card Program
February 24, 2005 (Chicago, IL) –
Smart Destinations, the premier provider of all-inclusive attraction
passes in top U.S. travel destinations, has announced its newest offering:
the Go Chicago Card, soon to be available for the Chicagoland market.
Smart Destinations plans to release the card in May, with over 20 top
attractions participating. The company will operate a local office to
support partners in this market and will actively market Chicago as
a top destination to travelers across the globe through its extensive
relationships with domestic and international tour operators and participation
in global travel marketing activities.
“The Go Chicago Card is an exciting new way for the city to present
itself to travelers, and an opportunity for us to expand the channels
through which we draw visitors each year. We are pleased to welcome
Smart Destinations as they expand into Chicago and become a part of
our world-class city,” said Brad Lewis, Vice President, Tourism,
of the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau.
Go Chicago Card will feature unlimited admission to Chicago’s
finest attractions including: Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum,
The New Hancock Observatory, Gray Line of Chicago’s famous two-day
hop-on/hop-off trolley tour and guided day trips including North Side
Tour, South Shore Tour and Inside Chicago: The Grand Tour. The card
will also include a Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Boat Tour and Architectural
River Cruise, Chicago Historical Society Museum admission and guided
walking tours, admission to the Frederick C. Robie House designed by
Frank Lloyd Wright, a series of walking tours led by the Chicago Architecture
Foundation and MORE. Visitors also receive a FREE full-color pocket
guidebook and savings of up to 20% on shopping and dining throughout
the city.
The Go Chicago Card will be available for an introductory price starting
at $39.00 for a one-day pass. Visitors will be able to purchase the
Go Chicago Card online at www.GoChicagoCard.com
or through any of Smart Destinations global distribution partners. The
card will also be an included component in a number of hotel packages
and weekend getaways and will be marketed as a valuable add-on for meeting
and convention delegates.
“Go Cards simplify the destination experience for customers, and
significantly streamline the process for attractions,” said Cecilia
Dahl, president of Smart Destinations. “Our easy-to-carry card
and companion guidebook highlighting local sites let travelers better
tailor a visit based on schedules and interests, at a fraction of the
price they would normally pay. Attractions benefit from our marketing,
global distribution and ability to facilitate the customer experience,
track usage and deliver payment promptly.”
“Major tour operators, meeting planners and travel consultants
embrace the Go Card, allowing them to showcase the entire destination
experience in a flexible, ‘one-size-fits-all’ product. Visitors
enjoy the Go Card because it provides them with an easy way to explore
the city and to move freely from attraction to attraction without worrying
about the cost of admission fees. People actually do and see more because
it’s easy,” added Dahl.
The rapid growth and success of Smart Destinations products in Boston
and San Francisco impressed Go Chicago Card partners. Additionally,
attraction partners appreciate Smart Destinations’ advanced paperless
technology, and ongoing, detailed reports about usage and automatic,
on-time payment. The success of the Go Cards also attracted the attention
of Zon Capital Partners and North Hill Ventures, the venture arm of
Capital One, both recent investors supporting the expansion into Chicago.
“The Go Boston Card became an important component of our strategic
marketing plan to bring more value to Boston visitors and provide ways
for them to see the city at an affordable price,” remarked Mimi
LaCamera, Director of Visitor Marketing for the Greater Boston Convention
& Visitors Bureau. “The card is very popular among our visitors,
particularly with families who appreciate the opportunity to affordably
take advantage of a broad array of the best of what Boston offers.”
Smart Destinations at a glance:
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Launched Go Boston in 2003, Go San Francisco in 2004,
six new cities to be rolled out in 2005.
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More than 1000 distribution partners and affiliates
in over 25 countries, including Virgin Holidays, American Airlines
Vacations, Southwest Vacations, The Mark Travel Corporation, National
Leisure Group, and major online tour operators such as Expedia,
Travelocity, Orbitz and more.
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Recent recipient of more than $4 M investment from
North Hill Ventures, the venture investment arm of Capital One and
Zon Capital Partners, a private venture capital firm.
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Cecilia Dahl, President and founder, is an industry
veteran of the wholesale travel business, formerly with Collette
Vacations. Kevin McLaughlin, CEO and founder, is a veteran entrepreneur
with experience in marketing and product management for high tech
products.
Go Cards at a glance:
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The Go Card is a single, easy-to-carry smart card
used as a ticket for unlimited attraction admissions that eliminates
paperwork and coupons.
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Accompanying guidebook lists the included FREE attractions,
shops and restaurants that offer exclusive value savings, as well
as fun tips and detailed maps.
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Unlimited free admission to 20-60 attractions in destination
city from as little as $19.00 per day.
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Exclusive discounts at restaurants and shopping destinations
offered.
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1, 2, 3, 5 and 7-day cards available.
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Central voucher redemption locations for those traveling
on packages, and key tourist destination points of sale.
About Smart Destinations
Smart Destinations is the premier provider of unlimited admission attraction
passes in major U.S. travel destinations. Smart Destinations’
Go Cards offer simplified access to dozens of attractions to individuals,
couples and families, for one fixed “per day” price. The
Go Guidebook is ready-to-travel and includes fun facts about a destination,
access details, and important local numbers. Distributed through major
travel services in 25 countries as well as on the Web, Smart Destinations’
Go Cards are the industry’s “trusted companion” for
the best a city has to offer at an unbeatable price point. For more
information on program participation, the company and its cards, visit
www.GoCardUSA.com or call 617-742-5950.
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©2008 Smart Destinations,
Inc.
800-887-9103,
email Smart Destinations
85 Merrimac Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114
View all of our Go Visitor Card Products
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