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Are You Suffering From a Leisure Time DisorderThe majority of Americans are overwhelmed by time constraints, yet more than one-third (38 percent) choose to spend their free time surfing the Web, according to a new Hilton Family Leisure Time Advocacy™ Study. What if there was a way to use that online time to increase our remaining free time? There is! Launched by the Hilton Family of Hotels, including Hilton®, Conrad®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Club® and Homewood Suites by Hilton®, MyLeisureTrip.comTM can help the time-stressed and work-obsessed capture precious free hours. This new leisure Web site represents a resource for hospitality, travel and experiential entertainment offerings whether consumers are planning short getaways or longer vacations. With a little help from 12 experts across America, who comprise the Leisure Time Advocacy formed by the Hilton Family of Hotels, MyLeisureTrip.com also provides tips and strategies for bringing balance and free time back into our lives. “Finding free time shouldn’t be like prospecting for gold,” commented Tom Keltner, president of brand performance and franchise development group, Hilton Hotels Corporation. “MyLeisureTrip.com helps offer solutions to correcting the imbalance that the majority of us suffer when it seems there is never enough free time in life.” MyLeisureTrip.com hosts information about the Hilton Family of Hotels Leisure Time Advocacy (LTA) initiative, which focuses on the conservancy of leisure time in a society that suffers from work-induced stress. An independent board of 12 academics, sociologists, medical professionals, authors, and leisure experts advises LTA on leisure time strategies. With seven out of 10 of us feeling we simply need more fun in our lives, MyLeisureTrip.com also encourages people to create valuable experiences through travel and to enjoy life in general. About MyLeisureTrip.comMyLeisureTrip.com features a variety of tools, including the Leisure Finder & Activity Navigator which showcases points-of-interest, entertainment and activities in North America. In 2004, information will include everything from concerts and sporting events, to local festivals, museums, golf courses and much more. In addition, using this Web site, users can book stays with any Hilton Family hotel, including Hilton®, Conrad®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn and Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Club® and Homewood Suites by Hilton®. The site provides search functionality by brand, hotel or region, as well as proximity to featured events. MyLeisureTrip.com offers seasonal promotions such as unique, consumer-friendly lifestyle packages and provides users the opportunity to enroll in Hilton HHonors®, the hotel family’s frequent traveler reward program. Finally, leisure trend information from Hilton Family’s LTA initiative is readily available on MyLeisureTrip.com, giving site visitors insight into and solutions for leisure time deficit. Future phases of MyLeisureTrip.com will bring additional partner promotions, enhanced category offerings and added spa content, among other features. “While leisure business within the Hilton Family of Hotels remains strong, we know that there is tremendous potential for stimulating even more leisure travel, particularly during the most traditional times -- on weekends, holidays and during summer.” About Hilton Family of HotelsHilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,100 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world’s best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton®, Conrad®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Club® and Homewood Suites by Hilton®. The following service marks are owned by Hilton Hospitality, Inc.: Hilton®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Club® and Homewood Suites by Hilton®. Conrad® is owned by Conrad Hospitality, LLC. About Leisure Time Advocacy (LTA) InitiativeLeisure Time Advocacy (LTA) is a unique advocacy initiative that focuses on the conservation of free time. Formed by Hilton Family of Hotels in Fall 2003, its mission is to raise awareness about the very serious issue of leisure time deficit and to spark dialogues that will help Americans realize that leisure relief is critical to leading a well-balanced life. In addition to providing helpful tips and suggestions for adding more leisure into people’s lives, LTA will challenge and empower Americans to think about how they value and spend their time, reminding people that time is a limited resource. The LTA agenda is determined by the LTA Board, consisting of 12 renowned and respected academics, futurists, medical experts and life coaches who study the importance of leisure in America’s lives. The Board exists to discuss, evaluate and offer suggestions for encouraging increased leisure time. The Board meets on a quarterly basis to discuss various leisure issues and ways to influence leisure-focused behavioral shifts in today’s society. For more information on LTA or its board members, please visit www.MyLeisureTrip.com. About MyLeisureTrip.com™Launched by Hilton Family of Hotels in January 2004, MyLeisureTrip.com is a unique site for consumers seeking a host of hospitality, travel and experiential entertainment information and offerings. It also hosts information about Leisure Time Advocacy (LTA), Hilton Family’s advocacy group that focuses on the conservancy of free time. Featured content, combined with advice and tips from the LTA board of renowned academics, futurists, medical experts and life coaches, will offer suggestions for changing people’s leisure habits and encouraging increased free time to reflect on and enjoy life. About the SurveyThe Hilton Family Leisure Time Advocacy Study was conducted online from May 23 – 29, 2003 by Harris Interactive. More than 1,550 working Americans responded with their views on the value of vacations and leisure time. Significance testing was conducted at the 95 percent confidence interval. More information about LTA, the Hilton Family Leisure Time Advocacy Study, and the LTA board, can be found at www.MyLeisureTrip.com. EDITED BY MADELYN MILLER |
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