ADVISORY/Whale Site Saved Along Route 66; Hampton Save-A-Landmark Effort Restores Popular Tourist Stop With 40-Foot Whale in National Route 66 Preservation Campaign.

Travel & Lifestyle Editors

ADVISORY...for Thursday (Aug. 15)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT:    On August 15, a grinning whale on Route 66 in the middle of
         the U.S. will gain a brighter smile as it becomes a part of a
         national restoration effort to revive landmarks along Route
         66. Built in the early 1970s, the Blue Whale of Catoosa,
         Okla., was originally a wedding anniversary gift to Hugh
         Davis' wife, Zelta. For years, travelers along Route 66 found
         the Blue Whale a welcome rest stop. As traffic slowed on the
         Route, the Blue Whale and surrounding picnic area
         deteriorated.

         "Explore the Highway with Hampton, Save-A-Landmark(TM)" has
         adopted Route 66 as a national cause, which includes
         restoring landmarks along the way, posting historic Route 66
         signs and "Roadside Attraction" signs on the eight-state
         route, and asking Washington to give Route 66 National
         Landmark status. The Blue Whale is expected to experience
         increased travel this year with summer road trips on the
         rise. Therefore, Hampton Inn is funding the site's renovation
         and providing the hands-on labor.

         Blue Whale Site Restoration:
WHEN:    9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, August 15

WHO:     --  Executive Director, California Route 66 Preservation
             Foundation, Jim Conkle
         --  Hampton Inn hotel volunteers
         --  Vice President, Hampton Hotels, Judy Christa-Cathey
         --  Blaine Davis, son of Hugh and Zelta Davis (owners)
         --  Catoosa Mayor and other local dignitaries

WHERE:   Located in Catoosa, Okla., along the stretch of the old road
         that runs from I-44, exit 240

WHY:     For the past three years, Hampton Hotels has volunteered
         labor and one-half million dollars toward refurbishing
         several historic and unusual tourist landmarks across the
         country, from the world's largest "Big Duck" in Flanders,
         N.Y., to the Bell Markers of the historic California
         missions. The Blue Whale is the 12th landmark to be restored
         by Hampton's Save-A-Landmark campaign:

         Additional Oklahoma landmarks along Route 66 that have been
         nominated by the public and are receiving "Roadside
         Attraction" signs include:

         --  Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, OK
         --  1930's Phillips 66 Filling Station in Chandler, OK
         --  Rock Cafe in Stroud, OK
         --  Mojo's Famous BBQ in Catoosa, OK
         --  Seaba Station in Warwick, OK

HOW:     To nominate a landmark to receive a Route 66 sign or
         restoration, the public can go to www.hamptoninn.com.