Oaseas Resorts Successfully Battles the Gulf Oil Spill
PASADENA, Calif. (June 22, 2010) – LeisureLink, Inc.™, the leading distribution and revenue management platform for specialty lodging suppliers, is proud to highlight the accomplishments of its Panama City Beach client, Oaseas Resorts, who is persevering in spite of the BP oil spill by keeping its Gulf coast properties booking when others in the area are not.

Since the oil spill in late April, the media coverage has painted a dismal and hopeless situation in the entire Gulf. While the situation does cause reason for alarm, what the media does not make clear is that there is no oil on many Gulf beaches and vacationers can travel to the much of the area without worry.

Many Gulf Coast businesses, including vacation properties, have felt the sting from the negative media coverage. “In early May, we went from 350 reservation calls a day, to only 10,” said Marty McDaniel, President and CEO of Oaseas Resorts. “The media made the oil spill out to be a Gulf coast-wide event, when it really only impacts a specific region. Panama City Beach is suffering because of this and I knew something needed to be done.”

“The reality is there is no effect on the beaches in Panama City Beach,” said McDaniel. “There are no issues on this beach besides happy, smiling people and we’re confident the oil spill will not impact this area.” McDaniel is so confident, in fact, he created a no-charge cancellation policy backed by a guarantee.

“If the beaches are closed to the public due to the oil spill, Oaseas will waive our standard cancellation fee and give you a $200 credit for a future stay,” said McDaniel. To prove to the public that conditions on the beach are stellar, Oaseas Resorts has been posting videos to YouTube showing that the water in Panama City Beach is just fine. “We plan to come out of this stronger than ever – we’re throwing the world’s biggest beach party in Panama City Beach, and everyone’s invited.”

“As a result of these aggressive measures, Oaseas bookings in the major channels are actually up versus last year, even though the overall PCB market is down dramatically. Leisurelink provides online distribution for many Panama City Beach properties, and we have seen a major shift in market share to Oaseas,” said Steve Reich, Senior Vice President of Sales at LeisureLink.

“Mr. McDaniel is showing real leadership in his efforts, which are paying off not only for Oaseas, but for all of Panama City Beach as well,” said Reich. “LeisureLink has decided to pitch in by changing our own cancellation policy to reflect that of Oaseas Resorts and doing more to market the whole Panama City Beach area.”

“In addition, we are offering an additional 15 percent savings for all Panama City Beach reservations made through ABetterStay.com when guests use the coupon code “OILFREEPCB” during check-out,” Reich added. “We’re happy to see Oaseas Resorts work hard to overcome this disaster and we want to help the community any way we can.”

To help further increase the online visibility for this effort, ABetterStay.com is distributing the 15 percent coupon code to every guest that has stayed at an ABetterStay property in the past, as well as blogging about the Oaseas Resorts no-charge cancellation policy, and the beautiful state of Panama City Beaches, on its travel blog .

“We have a responsibility for the greater good, and we must do the right thing in this market,” said McDaniel. “This is not just an Oaseas fight, we need to stand together.”

Oaseas Resorts make up five of over 25 Panama City Beach vacation rental properties represented by LeisureLink™. LeisureLink’s Panama City Beach collection includes boutique hotels, vacation condos, all-inclusive resorts and timeshare properties. The entire list of properties, along with featured specials, is available on ABetterStay.com .

About LeisureLink™
LeisureLink™ powers global distribution and demand for the vacation rental and specialty lodging industry. Our distribution platform and proprietary Demand Management System™ enable property managers to increase bookings and optimize revenue across thousands of distribution channels. For more information visit www.LeisureLink.com and to view properties go to www.ABetterStay.com.

About Oaseas Resorts
Oaseas Resorts, a condominium and rental management company with properties from Panama City Beach to South Walton Beach, represents only the finest in accommodations, both in value and location. Offering a complete vacation destination experience, Oaseas Resorts comprises properties of various sizes and for all budgets, many of them overlooking the Gulf. To learn more about Oaseas Resorts and its properties, visit www.OaseasResorts.com.

For more information please contact:

Steve Reich
Senior Vice President, Sales
LeisureLink Inc. ™
626-696-4530
SLReich@LeisureLink.com

Marty McDaniel
President and CEO
Oaseas Resorts
850-896-4925
marty_mcdaniel@oaseasresorts.com