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Press Release

Smart Destinations Launches Blue Ridge Explorer Pass

November 5, 2007 (Boston, MA)

Smart Destinations, creator of the popular Go Blue Ridge™ Card, announces the launch of the Blue Ridge Explorer Pass. Available online at www.explorerpass.com/blueridge from November to February, the seasonal pass includes admission to the customer's choice of 4 out of 11 attractions in the Blue Ridge Parkway area, plus complimentary admission to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

Blue Ridge Explorer Pass is available for sale following the success of its sister product known as the Go Blue Ridge Card. The Explorer Pass is the latest addition to a family of attraction passes offered by Smart Destinations, the premier provider of attraction passes in top U.S. travel destinations. The pass is valid for up to 30 days once activated, so locals and visitors alike benefit from the flexibility.

"Blue Ridge Explorer Pass gives visitors the chance to really enjoy what the Blue Ridge region has to offer during the fall and winter seasons," said Smart Destinations president Cecilia Dahl. "This is a great time to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway and explore the local heritage because the area is less crowded and the changing seasons make driving up and down the parkway especially scenic. With special child pricing, it's also a family-friendly product."

The pass includes admission to any four attractions from the following selection:

  • Biltmore
  • Chimney Rock Park OR Grandfather Mountain (Choice of one per card)
  • The Museum of the Cherokee Indian
  • Wheels Through Time Museum
  • Smoky Mountains Trains Museum
  • Mystery Hill
  • Banner Elk Winery
  • Smith McDowell House
  • Colburn Earth Science Museum
  • The Health Adventure

As a bonus, all Blue Ridge Explorer Pass customers also receive complimentary admission to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, as well as special discounts and savings at area restaurants and retailers including Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, Blue Ridge Day Hiker, Grove Arcade ARTS and Heritage Gallery, Balsam Mountain Inn & Restaurant, Brushy Mountain Smokehouse & Creamery, and Spear's BBQ and Grill at Linville Falls Lodge.

The pass' smartcard technology makes it easy for tourists to visit a variety of attractions without spending a lot of money. Visitors can purchase the Blue Ridge Explorer Pass online at www.explorerpass.com/blueridge.

Smart Destinations At A Glance:

  • Launched Go Boston™ Card in 2003, Go San Francisco™ Card in 2004, followed by 10 additional cities in 2005, 2006 and most recently New York City, Blue Ridge, and Maui in 2007.
  • More than 1,000 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, Viator, Orbitz and more.
  • Recipient of more than $7.5 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.

About Smart Destinations

Headquartered in Boston, MA with locations throughout North America, Smart Destinations is the premier provider of unlimited admission attraction passes in 15 major North American travel destinations from Oahu to New York City. Smart Destinations' Go Cards and Explorer Passes offer pre-paid access to over 425 museums, attractions, and tours for one fixed price. The combination of savings and convenience has resulted in 94% customer satisfaction as measured by 3rd party research and helped the company rank 78 on the Inc 500 list of fastest growing companies. Distributed through major travel services in 25 countries, corporate HR departments and their vendors, as well as on the Web, Smart Destinations' products are a "trusted companion" for the best a destination has to offer at an unbeatable price point.

Media Contact

Rob Schmults
Smart Destinations
617-830-2495
rschmults@smartdestinations.com

What the industry is saying

The Wall Street Journal …explore top U.S. destinations at an affordable price and enjoy VIP treatment like skipping the lines at popular attractions.

Road & Travel Magazine …the flexibility to see what you want, when you want, and how many times you want - without worrying about paying for each individual activity.

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