MCLEAN, VA.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DoubleTree by Hilton is redefining the way you plan and share your travels. Today, the full-service hotel brand launched DTour (www.doubletree.com/dtour), a first-of-its-kind YouTube channel for the hotel industry created in collaboration with Google that offers travelers a whole new way to plan and share their trips. The website integrates all major social media networks in one place, making it easy for travelers to share memorable moments from their domestic and global adventures – whether it’s a photo snapped on Instagram or video uploaded to other social media channels.
Using a new technology for YouTube created by software developer ThisMoment, DTour was created for travelers eager to ‘take a DTour’ – and keen to share their experiences with like-minded adventure-seekers around the world. In fact, DTour is the first custom-built YouTube brand channel in the hotel industry. Users can also explore other travelers’ favorite photos, videos, tips and stories to get inspired to plan the trips they’ve always wanted to take.
“At DoubleTree by Hilton, we know that memorable trips can be made from the little things, like being greeted by one of our warm, signature chocolate chip cookies after a long day of travel. DTour provides the perfect vehicle to celebrate the little things that make a difference and inspires a whole new way to plan and share travels,” said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “As DoubleTree by Hilton plans to open 60 new properties in 17 countries this year, the launch of DTour comes at a perfect time to celebrate our tremendous global growth and position as one of the fastest-growing brands in the full-service, upscale hotel category.”
The site also features tips, videos and suggestions from some of the most knowledgeable travel experts – the hotel team members themselves. Through a section called “DTour Guides,” DoubleTree by Hilton team members across the globe can share their travel advice and must-see hotspots from a local perspective.
DTour of a Lifetime
To celebrate the launch of DTour, DoubleTree by Hilton is conducting a year-long DTour of a Lifetime competition, a search for six people ready for the adventures of a lifetime. They will serve as brand ambassadors, traveling around the world, experiencing DoubleTree by Hilton hospitality, meeting locals and curating their own travel tips and stories for DTour. Each “DTourist” will embark on a two-week to two-month adventure to one of the six continents where DoubleTree by Hilton properties are located – and their “assignment” is to capture and share the highlights of their journey on the DTour website via blog entries, photos, videos and social media posts.
DTour of a Lifetime is the first custom user-generated contest held on YouTube by a hotel brand.
“We’re all seeking experiences to remember and share, so we’re excited to give six lucky ‘DTourists’ the trip of a lifetime to share and inspire those little things that make a difference when you travel,” said Greenleaf. “A hallmark of DoubleTree by Hilton is the diversity of our portfolio, as we seek to tailor each property to the needs and demands of its geography and culture. The DTourists will have the opportunity to experience these unique hotels and cultures across the globe and share their own personalized travel experiences in this same spirit of diversity.”
To enter DTour of a Lifetime, contest entrants can visit www.doubletree.com/dtour and share an audition tape describing a nearby landmark, unique culture or not-to-be-missed travel spot while on vacation or in their hometown. Video submissions must be at least 30 seconds to three minutes in length, and have a description that is no more than 300 words. Twenty-four finalists will be selected by a panel of judges – with the six winners selected by consumer voting on the website.
Each winner will be awarded one of the following travel experiences, featuring stays in several iconic DoubleTree by Hilton properties, including:
- A journey across North America, featuring sunny beaches and big city fun.
- An exciting trek among the cities and cathedrals of Europe.
- An adventure that spans the length of Africa and the Middle East, including South Africa, Seychelles, Tanzania and Dubai.
- An adventure across Australia - a continent that DoubleTree by Hilton is entering this year.
- An excursion through Asia, featuring visits to China, India, Thailand and Malaysia.
- A visit to the tropical beaches and rain forests of Central and South America.
DTour of a Lifetime entries will be accepted through May 31, 2013. For complete contest information and rules, visit www.doubletree.com/dtour. Following this contest, DoubleTree by Hilton will launch a series of bi-monthly sweepstakes coinciding with inspirational themes selected to guide the DTour content and conversations. For these sweepstakes, trips will be awarded to locations including Costa Rica; Washington, D.C.; New York, New York; Miami, FL; and Breckinridge, CO.
DTour and DTour of a Lifetime are the latest in a series of DoubleTree by Hilton promotions that celebrate the company’s ongoing global expansion and its unique culture of CARE (Create a Rewarding Experience). DTour site visitors will also be able to get information on and make reservations at DoubleTree by Hilton’s more than 330 properties on six continents.
In 2012, the DoubleTree by Hilton “Little Things Project” delivered thousands of “little things” travelers shared that would make travel experiences brighter in dozens of cities across the country. The year prior, the brand embarked on a 50-city, 10-week, 10,000-mile journey in the “Cookie CAREavan Across America” to share more than 250,000 of the brand’s beloved chocolate chip cookies with the public at special events in major cities around the world.
For more information and images related to DTour and the DTour of a Lifetime competition, visit our multi-media newsroom at http://news.doubletree.com/dtour.
About DoubleTree By Hilton
With a fast-growing, global collection of more than 330 upscale hotels in gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across five continents, every little thing we do at DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create a rewarding experience for our hotel guests, our team members and the communities we proudly serve. Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest loyalty program, an array of fine services and amenities and our longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 65,000 team members to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the traveler feel human again.
To make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travelers may visit our brand website at www.doubletree.com. Social media users may connect with us at www.facebook.com/doubletree, www.twitter.com/doubletree and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels. For the latest news, story starters and fact sheets about our brand, reporters and bloggers may visit our DoubleTree by Hilton Global Media Center at www.doubletreebyhiltonglobalmediacenter.com.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.
