Yorkshire is the Perfect Setting for Secret Proposal

Russ Kidger couldn�t believe his luck when he was told that he had won back the cost of his holiday after booking a romantic break in Yorkshire using the Internet.

After arranging the surprise weekend away for himself and his girlfriend he was delighted to discover that his city break would cost him nothing! Having used the online booking system on www.visityork.org, which is powered by Guestlink, Russ was automatically entered into the Book Online and WIN! prize draw to claim back the cost of his holiday. The online competition was only launched recently making Russ the very first winner!

The good news continues...

�I had been planning to propose to my girlfriend Le-anne and booked the weekend away in York as a surprise to coincide with our two year anniversary.

�I decided to book online because I wanted to use a quick booking method and it was really easy. We were very impressed with our accommodation at Hodgson�s Choice, and... Le-anne said yes! So we had a wonderful time.�

The prize draw is open to anyone booking Yorkshire accommodation online at web sites powered by Guestlink - supported by Yorkshire Forward, Yorkshire Tourist Board (YTB) and the region�s Tourism Partners*.

Gary Verity, YTB Chief Executive, says:

�Congratulations to Russ and Le-anne. We are delighted that Russ chose York and indeed Yorkshire to pop the question and obviously very pleased that Le-anne accepted. The region has so many stunning locations for amorous encounters and what more a romantic backdrop than the beautiful medieval city of York?

�Yorkshire has so much to offer everyone this winter and our latest marketing campaign, �Get More Yorkshire for Your Money� is sure to get even more people engaged in Yorkshire.�

Kim Hodgson, owner of Hodgson�s Choice, adds:

�I was delighted to meet Russ and Le-anne and really pleased Russ chose our penthouse suite as the place to propose.

�My husband and I run the business which now takes more bookings online than any other method. Our guests find it a lot quicker and we find it easier, leaving us time to concentrate on ensuring our guests have everything they need when they arrive.�

Websites offering the Book Online and WIN! promotion include:

www.yorkshire.com www.visityork.org www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com www.realyorkshire.co.uk www.yorkshiresouth.com www.yorkshiredales.org www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com www.visitbradford.com

Prize draw terms and conditions do apply; the booking must have been made online and have been confirmed by the accommodation provider. For further details of the rules of entry please visit one of the participating websites.

Tourism operators wishing to discover more about online booking via Guestlink and available training opportunities should log onto www.yorkshiretouristboard.net

- Ends �

Notes to the editor:

Image attached to email: Russ and Le-anne with Kim Hodgson at Hodgson�s Choice, York.

1. YTB is the official tourism agency for Yorkshire and the Humber region. It exists to represent and help generate sustainable business for the region's tourism industry, an industry responsible for over 243,500 jobs and worth in excess of �6.1bn to the region annually.

2. YTB is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber economy.

3. *Guestlink, Yorkshire�s Destination Management System (DMS) is led by Yorkshire Tourist Board (YTB) and the six Tourism Partners (TP) and supported by the Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward.

The six Tourism Partners are:

West Yorkshire Tourism Partnership, Yorkshire South Tourism, Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate Tourism Partnership, Visit York, Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership and Visit Hull & East Yorkshire Tourism Partnership (VHEY).

For further information, please contact Beverley Richmond Press Officer, Yorkshire Tourist Board Tel: 01904 773366/ 01904 707961 or email brichmond@ytb.org.uk