Expedia, the UK`s leading on-line travel service, today announces a new addition to its `Flight+` service, the UK`s most advanced online booking engine for dynamically packaged holidays and short breaks.  Customers can now add a variety of US attractions and services to their holiday package ensuring an improved holiday experience for the customer and giving added value to suppliers.

Caption: Dermot Halpin
Managing Director - Expedia.co.uk

It is the latest move in Expedia`s strategy to expand its merchant business, from hotels to car hire and now destination services, which provides new high margin revenue streams.  Built on Expedia`s unrivalled technology platform, it offers suppliers further distribution channels and flexibility, whilst enhancing the customer offering and delivering on Expedia`s mission to provide `everything for travel`. 

The huge range of options includes everything from airport pick-ups in limousines to rounds of golf and Broadway shows to major tourist attraction tickets.  Expedia has negotiated preferential rates with its suppliers to provide customers with discounts and guaranteed access. 

Typical trips and services include:

á    Liberty Helicopter Tours above New York City
Treat yourself to a once in a lifetime experience with a helicopter tour 1,000-ft. above New York City. Highly trained pilots will dazzle you with all the amazing sights New York City has to offer. From £32 per person


á    Kennedy Space Centre Tour
Learn all about US space travel. Explore a life-size space shuttle, feel a fragment of moon rock, and stand in the launch control room. Enjoy a narrated NASA bus tour and IMAX movie. From £41 per person.

á    Universal Orlando Multi-Day Theme Park Ticket
Experience the world`s most cutting-edge rides and attractions at Universal`s Islands of Adventure theme park. There`s fun for all the family whether you go beyond the silver screen and Ride the Movies at Universal Studios movie theme park or decide to explore Jurassic Park River Adventurer at Universal`s Islands of Adventure. From £66 per person.

Launched earlier this year, Expedia`s revolutionary dynamic packaging tool `Flight+` allows customers to build their own package in real time, reaping the benefit of simple and transparent prices.  Inclusive tour rates from 80 scheduled airlines are combined with prices from 7,000 Expedia merchant hotels, the customer also has the ability to add car hire and insurance to their individual itinerary.  With over 4,500 attractions and services, Expedia continues to help travellers plan and book their entire holiday experience - from flights and hotel rooms to city tours and theme-park tickets - all in one simple online transaction.

Commenting on the new service, Dermot Halpin, MD Expedia.co.uk said, `Expedia has again shown its lead in the online travel industry through its unmatched technology.  With these new additions there is simply no better way to put together a dynamic package online.  The benefits to consumers and suppliers alike means it`s a win-win situation all round.`

Related stories on ITN:

(20/11/2002) Expedia Offer Ancillary Entertainment Services on US Trips
(01/11/2002) Expedia`s WWTE Provides Private Label Hotel Booking Service for United.com
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