Hotels.com® and "Katie" to Reward Weight-Loss Challengers of Atlanta with 10 All Inclusive Vacations to Mexico

Hotels.com® and "Katie" to Reward Weight-Loss Challengers of Atlanta with 10 All Inclusive Vacations to Mexico

Online travel expert shows support of overall wellness and healthy travel with prizes to Mexico's RIU Resorts presented on an episode of "Katie."

DALLAS, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hotels.com(®) was featured on Katie Couric's daytime talk show, "Katie" (check local listings) on May 20(th), 2013 to help to continue to motivate city employees of Atlanta to achieve personal wellness goals. On the heels of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, "Katie," and bestselling author Dr. Ian K. Smith's 'Shred' Weight-Loss Challenge for city employees, Hotels.com is rewarding the top 10 weight-loss challengers with all inclusive trips to Mexico's RIU Resorts.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130521/DA18287)

The top 10 "shredders" who collectively lost 195 pounds in six weeks, were featured on "Katie" and Hotels.com awarded each person a three-night all-inclusive stay for two at a RIU Resort in Mexico, along with gift cards for air travel and incidentals. The 10 challengers were able to confront serious health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes and, following their initial successes, have vowed to continue the weight-loss challenge for another six weeks. These inspiring individuals will stay at one of RIU's diverse resorts on the beaches of Cancun, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Vallarta or Mazatlan, Mexico where they will experience the thrill of the white-sand beaches, outdoor activities and fresh cuisine.

"Hotels.com chose Mexico as the perfect place to ensure these hard-working individuals are able to maintain their active and healthy lifestyles, while also finding plenty of ways to relax and indulge along the way," said Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com. "It's hard to keep health top of mind while vacationing, with delicious cuisine to distract from normal fitness routines. RIU Resorts will help the recipients find an ideal balance while enjoying the breathtaking Mexico scenery."

Hotels.com recognizes the challenge of maintaining healthy habits while traveling. To help travelers stay the course, Hotels.com has compiled the below series of tips from health-wise sources on how to incorporate wellness into any trip:

Find time for Fitness

Elisa Zied, nationally recognized dietician and author urges travelers to "find time for fitness." Whether it be a few pushups in the hotel room, or a day of windsurfing on the ocean, there is always a way to stay active:


-- Utilize on-site facilities like those at the Riu Santa Fe All Inclusive.
This resort has tennis and volleyball courts, five outdoor pools, kayaks
and scuba gear.
-- Don't be afraid to go off-site and get the kids out of the hotel room.
The Riu Tequila All Inclusive offers shuttles to the Xcaret Eco Theme
Park, which will keep children (and adults) active all day long.
-- Get creative with workouts and try to incorporate some of the area's
culture. The Riu Caribe All Inclusive has salsa lessons to keep you
moving and help you learn something new.
Feast minimally

A Hotels.com survey found that 62 percent of travelers make a point to try local cuisine while they travel. GlobetrotterGirls, who penned a healthy tips post for TravelSmartBlog.com by Hotels.com, urge travelers to try the fare, but to a point:


-- Plan ahead; if you know you're going out for a decadent dinner, take on
the resort's salad bar for a light lunch. The Riu Cancun All Inclusive
maintains a salad bar during lunch hours.
-- Eat smaller portions. Fine dining at the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas All
Inclusive offers multi-course meals that will make you want to keep
sampling for hours. By taking small bites, you can taste everything and
still leave room for that tres leches cake.
"My Atlanta team SHRED teammates and I have worked so hard over the last six weeks and are so appreciative to Katie and Hotels.com for the tremendous gift for a vacation in Mexico," said Gary Short, a weight loss challenge participant. "We weren't expecting anything and since our families have also sacrificed during this challenge we are so grateful to be able to take someone with us."

Hotels.com makes finding the perfect place easy and rewarding, anytime, anywhere at the right price. Stay tuned for more healthy travel tips from travel expert Hotels.com and a monthly sweepstakes from Welcome Rewards® that will be featured on http://www.katiecouric.com/.

Press contacts:

Mary Apesos - Finn Partners for Hotels.com

Phone: (212) 593-6310

Email: mary.apesos@finnpartners.com

Twitter: @finntravel

Taylor L. Cole, APR

Hotels.com North America

Phone: (469) 335-8442

Email: taycole@hotels.com

Twitter: @TravelwithTLC

About Hotels.com(®)

Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking brand. Through the Expedia Inc. global network of websites, Hotels.com, LP connects travelers with more than 205,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome Rewards(®), customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the difference. Travelers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index(TM), which is now produced in 31 individual country editions, with North American data available at www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Hotels.comUS, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcom and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. Hotels.com, LP is part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands.

Hotels.com, Finding You The Perfect Place and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2013 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50





SOURCE Hotels.com

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130521/DA18287
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Hotels.com

Web Site: http://www.katiecouric.com


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