CHICAGO, IL "“ April 19, 2007 "“ Thinking "green" when you travel? Earth Day is a brief period of time when environmental concerns are top of mind in America. Orbitz (www.orbitz.com) has been working to make this a year-round priority, committing to help Protect Planet Earth from the inside-out. This innovative approach has been driven by employees' passion for major internal recycling and energy-saving efforts. The program has now grown into the launch of a pervasive corporate citizenship initiative to raise environmental awareness, beginning with the announcement of company-sponsored "voluntourism" vacations and now extending to offer travelers eco-friendly opportunities to make a difference of their own.

A recent Orbitz survey* found that more than half of Americans feel the U.S. tourist industry is lagging when it comes to being "eco-friendly."

This reconfirmed the Orbitz Worldwide efforts already under way, in offices from Chicago to Sydney to London, to curb its own environmental impact, and the development, from the inside-out of eco-friendly travel tools and environmentally-focused content on-site.

"Today, Orbitz invites travelers to join our own employees around the world in making a difference when you travel," said Steve Barnhart, CEO and president of Orbitz Worldwide, a division of Travelport Ltd (www.travelport.com). "Orbitz Worldwide is committed to being a vocal proponent within the travel community, working to offset the impact our industry has on the environment, so we're enthusiastic about our partnership with a highly respected organization like CarbonFund.org and the launch of Version 1.0 of our eco-microsite."

The first stage of the Orbitz eco-travel microsite is a comprehensive resource for travelers who want to find everything from eco-friendly hotels to environmental volunteer opportunities. Travelers who visit the Orbitz eco-travel microsite (eco.orbitz.com), will have access to the following information and tools:

• Articles on eco-travel. It's important to understand exactly what "eco-tourism" means, how it effects local environments and communities throughout the world and how everyone can make a difference. Read articles from the experts at Away.com and Gorp.com to expand your knowledge on this important topic.
  
• Top eco-friendly destinations. Editors from Away.com give their top picks for destinations that are doing their part to create a sustainable environment. Learn where to go and what to expect at some amazing eco-friendly destinations around the world.
  
• Top "green" hotels. Orbitz hotel experts give picks on lodging properties that operate with environmentally-friendly practices and products. From using wind and solar power as energy sources to purchasing only environmentally-friendly products such as "green" detergents for linens and soaps, these hotels are great options for the environmentally conscious traveler.
  
• Eco volunteer opportunities. Orbitz is linking travelers to the National Park Service volunteer website where they can find rewarding opportunities to become involved in conservation initiatives during their travels.
  
• Eco-travel tips. Making big contributions to the environment on your own can seem overwhelming, but there are plenty of simple things any traveler can do to make a difference when you’re on the road. Whether renting a hybrid car or taking a "to-go" coffee cup with you, Orbitz gives travelers suggestions for easy things they can do on any trip.

"The travel industry has impacted the environment, and as a responsible corporate citizen, Orbitz is committing to make a difference," said Eric Carlson, Executive Director of CarbonFund.org. "We look forward to working with Orbitz and its customers to help offset carbon emissions and make environmental awareness a part of their standard operational procedures."

Protect Planet Earth is the theme of the internal as well as eco-awareness campaign, and is being supported by reviving and repurposing one of the Orbitz brand's original print ads launched in 2001. Orbitz Worldwide has been actively working to reduce the impact of business operations on the environment by:

Recycling efforts:

• Recycling bins in each kitchen for aluminum cans. 95% of the products in our vending machines are cans, not plastic
  
• Discontinued use of all Styrofoam cups, bowls and plates. Using recyclable paper products
  
• Distributed to every employee and contractor their own beverage cup and insulated coffee mug to eliminate disposable cups, reducing amount of garbage tremendously, as well as resulting in facility cost savings
  
• Recycling can at every desk, printer and conference room for paper
  
• Collection bins in each supply room for batteries

• Motion sensor lights in offices and conference rooms, turn off when no activity in room
  
• Lights in entire facility turn off at 10pm, turn on at 7:00am
  
• High Performance lighting throughout the common seating areas, compliant with the International Energy code
  
• Water saving filters on kitchen taps

About Orbitz:
Orbitz (www.orbitz.com) is a leading online travel company that enables travelers to search for and purchase a broad array of travel products, including airline tickets, lodging, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Since launching its website www.orbitz.com to the general public in June 2001, Orbitz has become the third largest online travel site based on gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can search more than 400 airlines, more than 65,000 lodging properties worldwide and 13 car rental companies. Orbitz is a Travelport brand. Travelport (www.travelport.com) is one of the largest and most geographically diverse travel companies, dedicated to creating the exceptional travel experiences the world demands.

Carbonfund.org

Carbonfund.org

Carbonfund.org (www.carbonfund.org) reduces the threat of climate change by making it easy and affordable for any individual or business to reduce their carbon footprint and support climate-friendly projects. With its easy-to-use calculator, low offset cost per ton of CO2, and certified offset projects, Carbonfund.org is proving that anyone can reduce their impact on climate change easily and efficiently. Carbonfund.org is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit business, and a member of the EPA's Green Power Network, the Chicago Climate Exchange, and Ceres. Carbonfree and "Reduce what you can, offset what you can't" are trademarks of the Carbonfund.org Foundation.

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