Planning a trip to Spokane just got easier

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 12:00 AM

Tim Robinson
Director of Communications & PR

509.742.9373, 509.993.9824
TRobinson@VisitSpokane.com

Peyton Scheller
Communications Coordinator

509.742.9377
PScheller@VisitSpokane.com

Planning a trip to Spokane just got easier

Utrip adds Spokane as a featured destination

When you're planning a trip, you can use travel guides, lots of online research or just hope for the best. Or...you can use Utrip -- a new, free travel planning tool that's as fun to use as it is amazing.

Now, visitors to the Spokane region can use Utrip to create the perfect Inland Northwest experience. Utrip has just added Washington's second-biggest city to its roster of world-class destinations, which includes San Francisco, Seattle, London, Barcelona and more. (Spokane is the smallest city in the Utrip lineup!)

"Utrip is for anyone who's ever gone on a trip with high expectations for an unforgettable experience, only to end up at a chain restaurant or hotel because it's safe ," said Spokane native Gilad Berenstein, founder and CEO of Utrip. "As a native, I know Spokane has so much to offer visitors. With Utrip, travelers are now able to easily create personalized itineraries based on their interests and budget, and experience the sites of Spokane that most appeal to them."

Travelers can access the Spokane Utrip travel planning technology from the visitspokane.com homepage. Users can also use the hashtag #PlanSpokane on social media to share their own trip planning experience and to explore other users' trips.

"Utrip will give visitors the keys to living like a local," said Jeanna Hofmeister, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Spokane. "We've got a great lineup of local experts who are sharing their insider knowledge so visitors will be able to experience everything locals love about the Spokane region."

Utrip-profile-2

About Utrip

Utrip is a free travel planning platform that brings together the best in artificial intelligence and human experience, making it easy for travelers to create their perfect trip. Founded in Seattle, WA in 2012, Utrip's predictive technology works on a vast travel database that has been curated by local experts. Once a traveler indicates their interests and budget, Utrip's algorithm sorts through millions of combinations of must-see sites, activities and restaurant recommendations to deliver personalized itineraries - in minutes. Travelers may then book lodging and share their itineraries with friends. Utrip's companion mobile app provides access to itineraries, directions and personalized recommendations on the go. Utrip PRO, the white-labeled version, allows businesses to offer personalized travel planning on their sites. To learn more about Utrip or to plan your next adventure, visit utrip.com.

About Visit Spokane

Visit Spokane generates economic growth for Spokane County by successfully marketing the Spokane region as a preferred destination for conventions and leisure travelers from around the world. Visitors to Spokane County spent an estimated $877 million in 2013, providing jobs for nearly 9,620 residents in the region and generating $62 million in non-resident tax dollars collected in Spokane County.*

*Figures provided by Dean Runyan Associates report for the year ending 2013.