The Roaming Gnome’s Whistle-Stop Tour of Montana

SOUTHLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Big Sky Country calls. After a hectic year of traveling to far-flung destinations and signing autographs for his adoring fans, this September Travelocity’s Roaming Gnome is sneaking away to the state of Montana for a road trip of epic proportions. His whistle-stop tour will include Montana’s signature stunning scenery and starry nights, with a little hay-sculpture building, trail maintenance, and a 10k run thrown in for good measure.

“I’m committed to working with Travelocity and any company willing to showcase Montana’s outdoor heritage and bring important tourism dollars to the state. I'm thrilled they'll be joining us at my Economic Development Summit in Butte to help create opportunities and good-paying jobs for Montanans.”

The Roaming Gnome’s visit is just one piece of a massive two-month-long Travelocity (http://www.travelocity.com) campaign to educate consumers about all Montana has to offer. To support its efforts, the company built a Montana micro-site with sections for Glacier County, Yellowstone Country, major towns, and the High Plains. There, consumers can learn more about each region, find special hotel deals, and even take advantage of a promo code good for $100 off a three-night or longer Flight + Hotel vacation to Montana.

Although Big Sky Country will allow The Roaming Gnome some much-needed solitude and relaxation, his itinerary features a number of “only in Montana” activities, events, and dining experiences in order to experience the best of state first hand: zip-lining at Big Sky Resort, noshing on Eugene’s Pizza in Glasgow, constructing a hay sculpture in his likeness in Utica, and running the Kickin’ 10k in Great Falls. Everyone can have a front-row seat to the fun as The Roaming Gnome updates his Twitter feed and Facebook wall along the way with pictures, videos, and more. While touring the state, The Roaming Gnome will also proudly announce Travelocity’s sponsorship of cherished local events such as the Billings Magic City Blues Festival, the Apsáalooke Nation’s Crow Fair Celebration, the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale, Missoula’s Western Montana Fair and Rodeo, the Great Falls Blues & Brews Festival, the What the Hay Festival, and the National Folk Festival and An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival, both in Butte.

The Roaming Gnome is even taking some time to volunteer in Glacier National Park alongside 10 dedicated Sabre Holdings/Travelocity employees. The company held a contest to select its employee volunteers and more than 200 candidates applied to win a spot on this special trip. Flying in from offices all across the country to join The Roaming Gnome in Montana, the employees will spend two days doing trail maintenance in honor of Glacier National Park’s 100th anniversary. On their third day they’ll have a chance to hike and experience this breathtaking national treasure.

As part of its commitment to voluntourism, Travelocity is also announcing that consumers inspired by the Roaming Gnome’s volunteer vacation to Glacier National Park will have a chance to win a trip of their own. Travelocity will hold a 48-hour Twitter contest while The Roaming Gnome is in Glacier National Park on September 9th and 10th to award one lucky consumer a $1,000 voluntourism grant to be used with American Hiking Society. To participate, consumers will simply Tweet about how they give back in their local communities and use the hashtag #TravelocityMT. The company will select the person with the best Tweet to win the $1,000 voluntourism grant and help the winner arrange his or her travel.

The culmination of Travelocity’s Montana campaign and The Roaming Gnome’s tour will be Senator Max Baucus’ annual Economic Development Summit in Butte on September 13th-14th. There, Sam Gilliland, the CEO of Sabre Holdings (Travelocity’s parent company) will join other noteworthy speakers such as Energy Secretary Steven Chu; Jeffrey Immelt, Chairman of General Electric; and Robert Iger, President and Chief Executive of The Walt Disney Co. in discussing innovative ways to promote a healthy economic recovery within the state. "Montana is truly the best place on earth to live, work and raise a family. That's why I'm delighted to know the Travelocity Gnome will be drawing attention to our world class travel and tourism opportunities in Big Sky Country,” said Senator Max Baucus. “I’m committed to working with Travelocity and any company willing to showcase Montana’s outdoor heritage and bring important tourism dollars to the state. I'm thrilled they'll be joining us at my Economic Development Summit in Butte to help create opportunities and good-paying jobs for Montanans."

About Travelocity Global

Travelocity® is committed to being the traveler's champion -- before, during and after the trip – and provides the most comprehensive and proactive guarantee in the industry (www.travelocity.com/guarantee). This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, competitive prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity one of the largest travel companies in the world. Travelocity owns and operates: Travelocity Business® for corporate travel; igougo.com, a leading online travel community; lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel; and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel marketing and distribution.