Press Release

Smart Destinations Secures $4.25 Million Venture Investment; Undertakes Significant Industry Expansion to Build on Success of Go Boston Card, Go San Francisco Card
Seven Additional Markets to Be Rolled Out in 2005

BOSTON – May 3, 2005 – Smart Destinations, the premier provider of technology-based destination travel solutions, today announced that it has secured $4.25 million in Series A venture funding. The round was led by North Hill Ventures, the investment arm of Capital One Bank, and Zon Capital Partners, and will enable Smart Destinations to continue its aggressive U.S. expansion plans. In 2005, Smart Destinations will build on its success in Boston and San Francisco and more than quadruple its national reach by adding seven new markets and hiring 30 employees. This expansion will solidify Smart Destinations’ position as the leading provider of all-inclusive attraction passes in the U.S.

“Such significant investment is rare in this market sector, even for a technology-focused company,” notes Kevin McLaughlin, co-founder and CEO of Smart Destinations. “Our technology provides simple solutions to multiple needs and is backed by a team of professionals who are the best at what they do.”

Already operating the Go Boston Card and the Go San Francisco Card, Smart Destinations has recently launched its newest offerings for sale this spring: the Go Chicago Card, Go Orlando Card, Go San Diego Card and Go Seattle Card. Additional markets will be rolled out later in 2005. Each Go Card retails for under $50 and allows the card holder full pre-paid entrance to 20 - 60 premium attractions in that market, as well as exclusive savings at stores and restaurants.

“In a short time, the company has established the Go Boston Card and the Go San Francisco Card as the premier products in their respective markets,” commented Brett Rome, General Partner of North Hill Ventures. “Smart Destinations has developed a business model that offers a compelling value proposition to each of its key constituents: tourists visiting a city, local attractions, shops and restaurants, and travel industry partners.”

Smart Destinations operates offices in each city in which it does business and is a member of those city convention and tourism offices, as well as of the Travel Industry Association of America and the National Tour Association. Its commitment to service is reflected in details such as a free illustrated Guidebook that accompanies each Go Card, highlighting attractions as well as shops and restaurants that provide discounts to Card holders, plus fun tips, maps and emergency numbers.

“The success of the Go Cards is in their simplicity,” said Cecilia Dahl, President and co-founder of Smart Destinations. “Our proprietary technology is built around a smart card that makes visiting a destination easier and more personal. For one low price, customers receive convenient and unlimited pre-paid entrance to top-level attractions that meet their interests, similar to a ‘theme park’ pricing model. Attractions benefit from our ability to facilitate the customer experience, track usage and deliver prompt payment, from our marketing, and from our talented team’s global distribution relationships with 1,000 partners and affiliates in more than 25 countries.”

The results of Smart Destinations’ hands-on commitment to a quality experience are clear, especially to those responsible for driving traffic to destination cities.

“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 those 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:

• Launched Go Boston in 2003, Go San Francisco in 2004, seven cities rolling out in 2005.

• 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.

• Recent recipient of more than $4.25 M investment from North Hill Ventures, the venture investment arm of Capital One and Zon Capital Partners, a private venture capital firm.

• 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:

• The product is a single, easy-to-carry smart card used as a ticket for unlimited attraction admissions that eliminates paperwork and coupons.

• Accompanying guidebook lists the included FREE attractions, shops and restaurants that offer exclusive value savings, as well as fun tips and detailed maps.

• Unlimited free admission to 20-60 attractions in leading cities from as little as $19.00 per day.

• Exclusive discounts on services and at restaurants and shopping destinations.

• 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7-day Cards available.

• 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 617-671-1001.

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©2008 Smart Destinations, Inc.
800-887-9103, email Smart Destinations
85 Merrimac Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114
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