Let the Voting Begin! Orbitz Reveals Finalists Vying to Win $25,000 in Travel and Become the Official Candidate of the Orbitz Vacation Party

CHICAGO, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the national election campaign heads into the post-Labor Day homestretch, Orbitz today named three finalists to lead the Vacation Party who will work to cut the vacation deficit, provide universal access to beachfront views and fill hotel rooms from sea to shining sea. The Orbitz Vacation Party is now calling on all travel activists to participate in the political process and choose the official Vacation Party candidate.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070813/AQM125LOGO)

After a nationwide search that resulted in nearly 100 submissions of 60-second video campaign speeches, three finalists were announced in the "Orbitz Vacation Party Candidate" contest.  The official candidate – to be chosen by Facebook voting – will be sent on a campaign tour and also win $25,000 in travel.

The top three candidates chosen by an expert panel of judges based on entertainment value, persuasiveness, fit to brand and interview performance are:

• "Vacation Video" by John Cragen of California
• "Yes We Can" by Andy Nguyen of New York
• "Vote for Walt" by Walt Arnett of Kentucky

Who will lead the Orbitz Vacation Party and stand up for vacations everywhere? Consumers can cast votes for their favorite candidate once a day through September 19, 2012 by visiting the Orbitz Vacation Party headquarters, www.orbitzvacationparty.com. The winning candidate will be chosen via Facebook election. The Orbitz Vacation Party encourages the electorate to vote early, and vote often.  Not only will voters enjoy some fantastic entertainment, but every day they vote, they will be entered to win free flights.¹

"We are excited to be in the final phase of selecting the leader of the Orbitz Vacation Party. We have three strong candidates willing to campaign night and day to preserve the greatness of travel for future generations," said Chris Orton, president of Orbitz.com. "The choice is now in the hands of the electorate. This is an important election and every vote cast is a vote for vacation. The others parties can have the White House – one of the platforms of the Vacation Party is to get you out of the house."

The top three candidates who have what it takes to vacation tirelessly on behalf of the Orbitz Vacation Party stand to win:

• Grand Prize: $25,000 in travel, plus be named the 2012 Orbitz Vacation Party candidate
• First Prize: $5,000 in travel
• Second Prize: $2,500 in travel

Orbitz will announce the winners on or about September 25, 2012, and the creator of the winning video will be named the Orbitz Vacation Party candidate and will campaign for the Vacation Party in some fabulous vacation destinations in the weeks leading up to the November general election. 

¹Terms & Conditions:  NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; void in AK, HI and where prohibited. Open only to legal US residents 18 years or older residing in the 48 contiguous U.S. (includes D.C.) at time of entry. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on September 19, 2012. Click here for Official Rules and entry.

About Orbitz.com
Orbitz.com is a leading online travel company that enables travelers to search for and book an array of travel products and services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages. Since launching its website in June 2001, Orbitz.com has become one of the largest online travel sites in the world and has led the industry with innovations including the Orbitz Matrix Display and Orbitz Price Assurance. The Matrix Display revolutionized the way the travel industry displayed fares and makes it quick and easy for consumers to compare flights, rental cars and vacation packages. Orbitz.com also offers "Insider Steals" a weekly, members-only flash sale that provides exclusive deals of 50% or more off of handpicked hotels in top destinations around the world. On Orbitz.com consumers can search a broad range of suppliers worldwide. Orbitz.com is owned by Orbitz Worldwide. Stay connected to Orbitz.com with sale alerts, exclusive promotions and engaging conversations by following Orbitz on Facebook, Twitter and the Orbitz Travel Blog.

About Orbitz Worldwide
Orbitz Worldwide is a leading global online travel company that uses innovative technology to enable leisure and business travelers to research, plan and book a broad range of travel products. Orbitz Worldwide owns a portfolio of consumer brands that includes Orbitz, CheapTickets, ebookers, HotelClub, RatesToGo and the Away Network. Also within the Orbitz Worldwide family, Orbitz Worldwide Distribution delivers private label travel solutions to a broad range of partners including many of the world's largest airlines, and Orbitz for Business delivers managed corporate travel solutions for corporations. Orbitz Worldwide uses its Investor Relations website to make information available to its investors and the public at http://investors.orbitz.com. You can sign up to receive email alerts whenever the company posts new information to the website.

SOURCE Orbitz