In The News

Coral Gables, FL (June 6, 2005)
Hispanics Turning to Internet for Summer Travel Plans

With an increase in U.S. Hispanics utilizing the Internet to book trips online, Terra’s Turismo (Travel) channel http://www.terra.com/turismo/ has become an optimal gateway for advertisers to tap into this growing market trend.

Given the propensity for Hispanics to travel, both domestically and internationally, along
with the above average household income of the Hispanic online user, it’s not surprising
that travel marketers are targeting Hispanic consumers online,” said Michele Azan, vice
president of sales at Terra.com.

Scarborough reports confirm that Hispanics are heavy foreign travelers. The over-index
rate reaches 131 for those having traveled outside the U.S. more than five times in the
last three years. Not surprisingly, more Hispanics are using the Internet to make travel
arrangements. More than 50 percent, affirms Azan.

“There are more than 14 million U.S. Hispanics online every day. Among the top
reasons for using the Internet are researching travel needs,” said Azan. “Hispanics
caught on quickly to the wonders of the web. Users of all ages are finding there’s no
better way to prepare for a vacation. Consumers have become more computer-savvy
and sites are providing vastly improved content and features.”

Knowing this, marketers such as Royal Caribbean, Embassy Suites, Choice Hotels
International, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, Best Western, Thrifty, and Disney
Resorts have taken advantage to plunge into the Hispanic market by advertising on
Terra’s Turismo channel. In addition, a full line-up of carriers are on board Terra.com
including : US Airways, American Airlines, Aeromexico, Mexicana Airlines, Air France,
Air Canada, Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
Currently on the Turismo channel , Viaja con Visa features worldwide hot spots to travel
at hot prices. Texas State Tourism is offering trip saver coupons, e-postcards and even
Texas memorabilia, while Thrifty auto rental enables Spanish-language users to locate
their car of choice, anywhere in the United States.

The Terra travel channel also offers a currency converter, weather services, travel
forums/chats, polls and listings of top travel destinations. Air, hotel and auto bookings
are powered by Despegar.com.