Former Orbitz Chief Marketing Officer Michael Sands Named President

Former Orbitz Chief Marketing Officer Michael Sands Named President

CHICAGO, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Orbitz, a leading online travel agency, acquired by Cendant's Travel Distribution Services division in November this year, today announced that Michael Sands, 37, has been named to the position of president. In this role, Sands oversees the company's management and strategic direction and is responsible for all aspects of the company's leisure travel offering.

"Orbitz is the Internet's second most visited travel Web site so I'm thrilled at the opportunity to build upon our success," said Sands. "My focus is on providing consumers a premium Web site experience with our comprehensive set of travel options and powerful search features that make it easy for travelers to plan and manage their trip."

Sands joined Orbitz as its first marketing employee in September of 2000. As chief marketing officer he led the team responsible for developing and implementing all marketing activities for Orbitz. His efforts were a major contributor to the successful launch of Orbitz.com on June 4, 2001, and its rapid growth since.

Prior to joining Orbitz, Sands worked for General Motors Corporation as one of a select group of external marketers designated with improving the auto company's North American marketing efforts. His efforts made Oldsmobile an e- marketing leader within the overall auto industry and led Sands to being named a "Marketer of the Next Generation" by Brandweek magazine.

Sands holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Northwestern University and a Masters in Management degree from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management.

About Orbitz

Orbitz is a leading online travel company that enables travelers to search for and purchase a broad array of travel products, including airline tickets, lodging, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Since launching its website, http://www.orbitz.com/ , to the general public in June 2001, Orbitz has become the third largest online travel site based on gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can search more than 455 airlines, tens of thousands of lodging properties worldwide and 22 car rental companies. Orbitz was acquired by Cendant's Travel Distribution Services division in November 2004, and is part of the Consumer Travel Americas group.

Statements in this press release regarding Orbitz that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause such statements to differ materially from actual future events or results. Any such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following factors, among others, could cause Orbitz' actual results to differ materially from those described in a forward-looking statement: Orbitz' ability to retain and attract customers on a cost-effective basis; increasing competition from existing or new competitors; relationships with Orbitz' controlling stockholders and with other travel suppliers; limitations that could affect the expansion of our Supplier Link business; risks relating to our ability to expand our business generally; specific risks that could affect our ability to achieve growth plans for portions of our business, such as hotels; rapid technological change affecting our industry; technical and operational issues, such as journey control restrictions, that result from changes in travel suppliers' distribution methodologies that could affect our results; risks associated with litigation or government regulation; declines, disruptions or events affecting the travel industry; potential fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results. This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ. Readers are referred to the reports and documents filed from time to time by Orbitz with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of these and other important risk factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this press release. Orbitz undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.


Source: Orbitz

CONTACT: Media, Kendra Thornton of Orbitz, +1-312-894-4721,
kthornton@orbitz.com

Web site: http://www.orbitz.com/


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