NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Marie Profant
mprofant@visualtraveltours.com
805-705-9179

TOUR PALM SPRINGS CALIFORNIA WITH A FRIEND ON HAND

Palm Springs, CA (May 21, 2010) -- Have a cell phone or mobile device? That’s all you need to have a personalized tour of Palm Springs. With the release of Visual Travel Tours’ (VTT) “Exotic Palm Springs” visitors can explore this popular destination with a friendly tour guide in the palm of their hand.

Anyone with a mobile device can enjoy the experience of a personalized tour of Palm Springs, even if they don’t know anyone there. “The most rewarding trips are the ones when you have a local friend to show you around,” said Marie Profant, founder of VTT. “Our tours introduce you to the places where the locals go, the little-known story of the town’s landmarks, the best views, shopping and insider hangouts.“

Written by travel writer Suzanne Hogsett and professionally produced, the tour gives unique insights in a simple, innovative format. VTT, which has more than 165 tours highlighting locations around the world, has reinvented how travelers tour with the first (and only) e-books and narrated tours with images, designed for cell phones such as the Blackberry and iPhone, video iPods, iPads, PDAs, and computers. Unlike most phone apps, no internet connection or cell coverage is necessary.

“There is simply nothing else like VTT in the marketplace. Our writers are experts, so their firsthand knowledge and personal anecdotes add special value to the journey,” explains VTT Executive Editor, Gordon Burgett. “Visual Travel Tours can be used three ways: to preview while you plan your trip, to explore the sights when you are there, and to see and share it all again back home with your friends.”

Bob Williams of Los Angeles, said, “Organized bus and group walking tours aren’t for me and I don’t like to carry heavy guidebooks all day. Since my cell phone is always with me I simply downloaded the VTT tour and had it right there in my palm of my hand as I strolled around. The guide gave me inside stories you can only get from a resident, and the ease of listening to it on my cell was just perfect.”

Travelers download a tour ($12.95 for a QuietGuide, $15.95 for a narrated tour) or purchase a CD for $19.95 online. The CD contains formats for all mobile devices, so a family with different device types can tour together. Once downloaded, the tours do not require an internet connection and there is no need for the latest and greatest phone. Chapter titles appear on your mobile device like a play list, to play on your schedule, at your pace with the ability to pause as you go.

Watch a sample of Exotic Palm Springs: http://visualtraveltours.com/tours_show.html?id=455

VTT enriches the traveler experience with fascinating tours that are an alternative to traditional audio tours or guidebooks. Through their variety of tours VTT provides travelers a new way to enjoy worldwide destinations all in the palm of their hand. “We appeal to the type of traveler that may have used museum audio tours and who enjoys life-long learning as they explore,” said Profant. “The tours describe landmarks and legends, with photos so you know which building the narrator is talking about.” For more information go to http://visualtraveltours.com.

More Information and Tour Samples:

Exotic Palm Springs as described by author Suzanne Hogsett:


Chapter titles appear like a play list, to play on your schedule, at your pace:


Sample directions, from the tour:

…Cross Indian Canyon Drive and walk west toward Palm Canyon Drive. Halfway down the block, you’ll see a plastic-molded figure of Marilyn Monroe in a scene from her movie, "The Seven Year Itch." Continue walking west to Palm Canyon Drive and …

About Suzanne Hogsett, author of “Exotic Palm Springs”:

Suzanne has authored two travel books, taught a wide array of travel classes, and created customized itineraries for 22 years. She also journeyed extensively as a tour guide and is passionate about photography.

Images and an interview with your local resource, Suzanne Hogsett, available upon request.