PRESS KIT
General Growth Properties Offers Travelers a Collection of Shopping & Dining Destinations Located Across the U.S.A. [May 2011]
General Growth Properties, Inc. (NYSE: GGP) is proud to present "America's Premier Shopping Places" - the nation's most unique collection of tourism-oriented shopping centers located throughout the U.S.A. These renowned centers draw millions of visitors from around the world each year to experience the diverse culture, history, flavor and heritage of America's metropolitan cities and vacation destinations, while enjoying the popular travel activities of shopping and dining. Whether it's The Shops at La Cantera (San Antonio), Harborplace & The Gallery (Baltimore), The Grand Canal Shoppes, The Shoppes at The Palazzo and Fashion Show (Las Vegas), Ala Moana Center (Honolulu), Water Tower Place (Chicago), Bayside Marketplace (Miami) Saint Louis Galleria or Pioneer Place (Portland), each of America's Premier Shopping Places offer Frequent Individual Travelers (FIT's) and group visitors a fun and memorable shopping experience.
"General Growth Properties recognizes the importance of shopping and dining in today's travel itineraries, both domestic and international," said Mollie Calvert, Director, Marketing of Platinum and Tourism for GGP. "This collection of America's Premier Shopping Places has been selected from hundreds of centers throughout the United States that General Growth Properties owns and manages." Calvert added, "The primary goal of the America's Premier Shopping Places program is to provide the travel industry with convenient access to special offers and group programs at these centers through a single source, as well as to provide visitors with a memorable shopping and dining experience during their travels."
The stores and boutiques within all of America's Premier Shopping Places represent the nation's best in quality and variety. Travelers will discover an enticing array of colorful specialty shops, kiosks, and galleries featuring local craftsmen and artisans, gourmet food markets and well-known department and specialty stores. Domestic travelers enjoy the variety of unique merchandise and crafts indicative of the destination, while international visitors delight in finding their favorite designer brands and popular labels not available at home. Both are certain to discover perfect treasures to take back to friends and loved ones.
The extraordinary experience continues in the vast array of cuisines and dining options available at America's Premier Shopping Places. Research released by the Travel Industry Association of America and The International Culinary Tourism Association reveals more than 27 million travelers have participated in some type of culinary-related activity during the past three years. Eighty-five percent of travelers stated they like to try different restaurants and experience local cuisines. At America's Premier Shopping Places, travelers can sample the distinctive flavors of regional cuisines offered by local cafes and restaurants, or delight in finding their favorite national restaurants, many of which are home to some of the nation's most renowned chefs and culinary artists.
America's Premier Shopping Places cater to both domestic and international fly, drive and motor coach travelers. All visitors to America's Premier Shopping Places are eligible to receive a Premier Passport filled with thousands of dollars in shopping and dining savings, special offers and amenities. Vouchers are provided in multiple languages by travel agents and tour operators, or may be downloaded and printed from America's Premier Shopping Places' website at www.AmericasShoppingPlaces.com. In addition, several centers offer travel trade professionals commissionable shopping packages, and assist group meeting planners with unique private events, pre-paid meal vouchers and group dining programs for food court cafes or full-service restaurants. For more information on America's Premier Shopping Places, please visit www.AmericasShoppingPlaces.com. Additional press releases and photography are available in downloadable, high-resolution formats.
GGP is one of the nation's largest shopping center owners. GGP has ownership and management interest in 169 regional and super regional shopping malls in 43 states. The company portfolio totals 174 million square feet of retail space. A publicly-traded real estate investment trust (REIT), GGP is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GGP. For more information, please visit the company web site at ggp.com.
