It's Not What Travelers Pack, But How ... Physically and Virtually; When It Comes To Weekend Getaways, Men and Women Have Similar Needs, Different Packing Styles.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2003

Women prefer a "pack for the plan" approach, while men adopt a more "travel lite" philosophy. Still some try "extreme packing." But, there is one thing both sexes can agree on: toothpaste.

According to Hampton(R) hotels, nearly half (47 percent) of women the brand surveyed(a) said they organize their packing for a weekend getaway based on what they have planned on their itinerary. Yet for men, traveling light, regardless of what they have planned, is the most preferred weekend packing method (45 percent). Then, there is a vocal minority of both men and women (14 percent vs. 22 percent) who agreed on the "extreme packing" approach, "take everything in the closet so I'm prepared for anything."

While their styles differ, when asked what is the top item they could never leave for a weekend trip without, men and women both agree: toothpaste. Coming in at a distant second was clothing or underwear, with medications, money and hair products rounding out the top five items travelers could not leave without. Still others note they couldn't leave home without their cell phone, shoes, deodorant and the Bible.

While the survey showed how travelers pack physically, how they pack "virtually" will be revealed in Hampton's "Design Your Dream Weekend" sweepstakes(b) on the Hampton Web site and travel resource www.hamptoninnweekends.com. Launching June 9 and running through September 27, online bookers can "pack" a virtual suitcase with their personal travel necessities and choose their dream weekend getaway from thousands of events in the U.S. and Canada. Participants drag events and prizes into their own virtual suitcase onscreen, thereby creating a personal fantasy trip worth up to $3,500. When participants book their room online, their suitcases will be entered to win its contents and a trip to their dream weekend destination.

Three weekly winners will be drawn from all eligible entries in which they receive a weekend getaway for two including roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations for two nights and $500 spending money, plus the winner's virtual suitcase prize pack. Daily prizes are also available, in which participants receive their selection of prizes as chosen at time of entry. Prizes include a portable DVD player, digital camcorder, portable video game system with game pack, portable GPS/mapping system, luggage set, binoculars, deluxe golf bag, mountain bike, deluxe travel planner and insulated cooler bag with AM/FM radio, among other prizes.

The Hampton Web site also serves as a one-stop shop for these vacationers looking to experience something off-the-beaten-path across the U.S. and Canada. Designed as an easy reference guide, www.hamptoninnweekends.com features different event categories, including music, food and more, to guide visitors to goings-on that suit their interests. The site can also be searched by region, state or city for happenings during pre-planned travel dates or to inspire a weekend getaway.

Whether it's seeking a quick escape for the weekend or an exploration of what different communities have to offer, the site provides families, seniors, couples and solo travelers endless opportunities of things to do and see, such as:

-- Summer in the City Festival, South Bend, Ind. (June 14-15):

Celebrating a 30-year-old tradition, South Bend comes together

to enjoy food and craft booths, amusement rides, live

entertainment, a classic car show, Scholarship Pageant, a

parade and Father's Day events.

-- Buskerfest, Denver, Colo. (June 20-22): Premier street

entertainers, including percussionists, jugglers, acrobats,

magicians, fire-eaters, comedians, unicyclists and tightrope

walkers perform in Downtown Denver free of charge.

-- Watermelon Thump, Lunling, Texas (June 26-29): This

50-year-strong tradition features a carnival, street dance,

grand parade and the World Champion Seed Spitting Contest.

-- Central Park Summerstage, New York, N.Y. (June-Aug.): New York

City's performing arts festival was founded in 1986 and brings

top performers, many being free of charge, to Central Park

throughout the summer.

-- World's Largest Catsup Bottle Summerfest, Collinsville, Ill.

(July 3-6): Annual birthday party and Custom `n' Classic Car

`n' Truck Show Bash includes music, crafts, food, games and

even a catsup taste test.

-- Gilroy Garlic Festival(TM), Gilroy, Calif. (July 25-27): Join

more than 125,000 visitors to enjoy the fragrant foods, fine

wines and arts of the region.

The Hampton brand is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,000 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton(R), Conrad(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites Hotels(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Hilton Grand Vacations Company(R) and Homewood Suites by Hilton(R).

(a) Research conducted by Kelton Research with 805 respondents, May 2003.

(b) Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. The sweepstakes begins on June 9, 2003 and ends on September 27, 2003. The sweepstakes is open to all legal residents age 18 or older as of June 9, 2003, of the 50 United States (excluding residents of Florida) and the District of Columbia. For a copy of the official rules, send a SASE to: Hampton Inn(R) "Design Your Dream Weekend Sweepstakes," Official Rules c/o Tic Toc, P.O. Box 38554, Dallas, TX 75238-8554.