TravelShark Introduces the Sharky Awards, Names First Winners

Leading online travel network TravelShark today unveiled its new hyper-local travel awards program, the Sharky Awards, designed to recognize the freshest, most unique travel experiences across the globe. The company also announced the first four winners and debuted the new Sharky Award trophy case displaying these finds.

The Sharky Awards are given to the "sharkiest" people, places, or things in travel. Candidates for Sharky Awards include destinations (locations, hotels, resorts, and restaurants); objects (hotel décor, menu items, and more); and people who have interesting jobs in travel or perform typical jobs extraordinarily. Things are dubbed "sharky" because they are surprising, enlightening, jaw-dropping, inspired, or just plain delightful.

TravelShark's global presence affords it an opportunity to identify and promote these gems, and the Sharky Awards support the company's mission of connecting global travelers with the best trip planning resources, from Boston to Beijing, Seattle to Singapore, and Moscow to Munich.

TravelShark engages its network of in-market editors – including those responsible for the company's recently acquired rather city guides – to identify awardees. In addition, anyone can nominate a Sharky Award candidate for consideration.

"The Sharky Awards reinforce our commitment to give travelers something other than the ordinary recommendations they find online," said TravelShark CEO Sue Heilbronner. "We are so excited to introduce these discoveries that we coined a new term: 'Sharky'. Sharky speaks to the essence of a memorable travel experience: a dash of cool, different, and wow, with the occasional touch of unbelievable."

This week, the Sharky Awards honor Eddie Mahoney, resident astronomer at the Hyatt Regency Maui. In the "things" category is Ace Hotel Seattle, which has a shower that lets you keep a very close eye on your bed. Two awards go to Sharky "places": Hotel Marlowe in Boston takes pet-friendly to another level, with a staff that puts the Dog Whisperer to shame; and Quincy Hotel in Singapore is making its guests feel like celebrities with the array of perquisites they offer, such as a limo ride to the airport, drinks, meals, and a stocked mini-bar.

Sharky Awards winners will be promoted throughout TravelShark's network of thousands of travel sites and treated to digital goodies like badges and virtual trophies. These first winners also were surprised today by very Sharky cupcakes, pictured here.

For more information on TravelShark and its online global travel network, please visit www.travelshark.com.