National Trust for Historic Preservation Launches Heritage Travel, Inc., New Online Community for Heritage Travelers and Historic Destinations

Washington, DC | The National Trust for Historic Preservation today announced the creation of Heritage Travel, Inc., a comprehensive, online resource for heritage travelers and historic destinations. Heritage Travel, a new, for-profit subsidiary, will launch its new website in early 2009. The site will provide extensive visibility for historic destinations, enable consumers to find and share heritage-rich experiences and provide a professional forum where historic destinations can network and share best practices.

Heritage Travel will provide global exposure for thousands of participating destinations via an interactive, web-based platform reaching millions of heritage travelers. The site will offer Web 2.0 opportunities in social media, RSS feeds, blogs and podcasts; and has a substantial annual advertising budget with backing from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Heritage Travel is recruiting qualified destinations throughout the United States to participate in its fee-based program. Heritage destinations must meet standards in the areas of preservation, presentation and promotion to ensure a positive and authentic experience for visitors. Destinations will include: cities and towns; downtowns and neighborhoods; historic sites, museums and experiences; bed & breakfasts; heritage events such as historic re-enactments, music festivals, ethnic celebrations, cultural events, etc. Heritage Travel is offering discounts on annual participation fees for destinations joining before December 31, 2008. (Contact 202-588-6200, 877-588-5511, [email protected] or visit ).

The market trends for heritage and cultural travel are strongly positive. The Travel Industry Association estimated the combined market for heritage and cultural tourism in the United States at 118 million travelers. More recently, PhoCusWright in 2006 estimated the market for heritage travel alone at approximately $70 billion per year domestically, with 80 million travelers.

“With this new venture, the National Trust for Historic Preservation builds upon the strength of our nearly 40 years of experience with heritage tourism, Historic Hotels of America and our National Trust Tours program, along with our 29 National Trust Historic Sites, to provide a comprehensive web-based planning resource,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Following two years of exhaustive research, we determined this unique model could generate revenue, visitation and support the economic vitality of historic destinations by increasing their exposure to heritage-minded travelers.”

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is making a multimillion dollar investment in the development of Heritage Travel and has recruited a leadership team with unparalleled expertise. John Williams, president and CEO of the venture, has more than 25 years of experience including eight years as a senior executive at American Express and three years as CEO of Biztravel.com. Scott Gerloff, Heritage Travel’s vice president for destinations and partner relations, was one of the creators of the National Trust Main Street and Historic Hotels of America programs and directs the National Trust Tours program.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history—and the important moments of everyday life—took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, 9 regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories. For more information, visit .

Heritage Travel Inc., is a new, online community showcasing the broad range of heritage destinations, sites, venues and events that define our collective past and enrich our lives. Heritage Travel provides a one-stop travel planning resource for heritage and cultural travelers; an online community where people can find and share heritage-rich experiences and a professional forum where destinations can network and share best practices. Heritage Travel is a new, for-profit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Launching in early 2009, Heritage Travel is recruiting qualified destinations now for participation in this fee-based program. For more information, contact: 202-588-6200, 877-588-5511, [email protected] or visit .