With more than half of American households planning to take a leisure trip this summer*, the booming “togethering” trend gains added momentum as families and friends begin making collective plans to vacation in an affordable yet rewarding manner. In line with the growth of this concept, more and more travelers are choosing vacation rentals for true value combined with spacious comfort all under one roof, rather than hassling with costly reservations for multiple hotel rooms.

Often costing less than a single hotel room, vacation rentals afford “togethering” travelers a relaxing accommodations lifestyle, with bonus space, amenities and guest services. Encouraging travelers nationwide to "Discover Vacation Homes" this summer is the long-standing Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), whose professional members are not only making trips more affordable through seasonal specials, but by offering a variety of resources, tips and tools for finding a vacation rental online at http://www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com.

Following are examples of various specials offered to summer travelers, for a limited time, by established members of the VRMA:

COSTA RICA
Guanacaste
Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo (http://www.vacationrentalsoftamarindo.com)

• Summer Recession Reward: Combine special vacation condo rental values with recently slashed airfares to Costa Rica. Guests’ vacation week here is only $175 -$245 (USD) per person, added to the best airfare they can find to Liberia (LIR) or San Jose (SJO). Prices are based on occupancies of four or more people in rental condominiums.

HAWAII
Island of Kauai
Great Vacation Retreats (http://greatvacationretreats.com)

• 25 percent off all one, two and three bedroom condo rentals in Kauai.

NORTHEAST
New Hampshire’s Lakes Region
Preferred Vacation Rentals (http://www.preferredrentals.com)

• Reduced rates on approximately 50 vacation rental properties.

SOUTHEAST
Florida Panhandle’s “Forgotten Coastline”
Pristine Properties Vacation Rentals (http://www.visitfloridabeaches.com)

• FREE Family Fun Pass: Provides complimentary admissions/fares to an 18-hole round of golf, a deep sea fishing excursion, horseback riding on the beach and unlimited DVD rentals for each nights’ stay.

Orlando and Central Florida
All Star Vacation Homes (http://www.AllStarVacationHomes.com)

• With a seven-night stay, choose from two FREE hot air balloon rides ($350 value), a FREE car rental or $100 gas or grocery gift card.
• Special Walt Disney World and Orlando attractions ticket discounts.

Global Resort Homes (http://GlobalResortHomes.com)

• When staying in the Disney-area Cypress Pointe community, pay for five nights and stay two free (applies during low, mid and high seasons, excludes July 1 through August 15 and holidays), OR pay for six nights and stay one night free from July 1 through August 15.
• When staying in the centrally located Vista Cay community, reserve a Venture two-bedroom condo rental for $99 per night or receive 25 percent off during mid to low season, 20 percent off during high season and 15 percent off during holidays (minimum stay of four nights).
• Guests who choose the Oakwater community receive a $79 per night rate for two-bedroom rentals, $99 per night for three-bedroom rentals (applies during low season only), 20 percent off during mid season and 15 percent off during high season and summer holidays.

Imagine Vacation Homes (http://www.ImagineVacationHomes.com)

• Guests traveling to Walt Disney World on their birthday for its “Celebration Vacation” promotion will receive free Disney park tickets for each accompanying immediate family member when staying for five nights or more.

Fort Myers Beach
Lahaina Island Accommodations (http://www.beachfloridarentals.com)

• $149 per night for a two bedroom, two bathroom beachfront condo. Includes 10 percent off a boat rental, $20 off of dinner for two at participating restaurants and FREE DVD rentals throughout guests’ entire stay.

Tennessee Smoky Mountains
Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg (http://mountainchalets.com)

• Quality Time package: $996 for five days, four nights in a cozy family cabin. Includes “Mommy & Me” visit to the spa for a manicure, “Father & Son” Hummer excursion, family dinner at the Cherokee Grill, FREE tickets to Dixie Stampede and all day NASCAR Speedpark wristbands.
• Relaxing Weekend with the Girls package: $723 for three nights in a three-bedroom cabin. Includes a Swedish massage for three, Yoga class for three and an assorted sandwich tray.
• Business Trip for the Boys: $655 for three nights in a three or four bedroom cabin. Includes an 18-hole golf foursome, including cart, and four horseback riding tickets (April through October).

Western North Carolina
Carolina Mornings (http://www.carolinamornings.com)

• FREE Mountain Discovery Pass: Receive FREE amenities every day of your stay ($130 value per day). Complimentary activities include golf, whitewater rafting and historic boat and trolley tours.
• Special packages that help guests save on popular local attractions (i.e. Biltmore Estate), events (i.e. Flower Carper), restaurants (i.e. Corner Kitchen and Zambra's), and more.

Cashiers Resort Rentals (http://www.cashiersresortrentals.com)

• 10 percent off of most weeklong bookings during summer months.

North Carolina Coastline
Corolla Classic Vacations (http://www.corollaclassicvacations.com)

• Corolla Classic Vacations Experience card: Provides special offers/discounts exclusive to guests from 18 local businesses.

Emerald Isle Realty (http://emeraldislerealty.com)

• 10 to 20 percent off select vacation rental homes, condos and cottages through Labor Day.

Outer Beaches Realty (http://www.outerbeaches.com)

• Sizzling Summer Specials: Up to 50 percent off remaining summer weeks.
• Guests receive “OBR Bucks” in $25 denominations for up to $100 in spending money while on vacation, redeemable at over 25 local merchants for items ranging from gas, groceries, souvenirs, dining to kite boarding lessons.
• 2010 Vacation Layaway: Customers are rewarded for booking their 2010 vacation rental home early with incredible savings combined with an E-Z vacation payment plan. Guests who book a 2010 vacation between now and this November will receive a ten percent discount off this season’s regular rates and will have up to 12 months to pay, interest free. Under the Layaway Vacation program, guests’ 2010 rental rates and total vacation cost will be guaranteed, and they can start making payments now.

South Carolina Coastline
Daufuskie Island Rentals (http://www.daufuskievacation.com)

• 40 percent off posted summer rates.

DeBordieu Rentals (http://www.debordieurentals.com)

• 20 percent off the original price on 30 select homes, which are identified with a "$” sign beside their names online.
• FREE unlimited use of Healthpoint, a local fitness and spa facility.
• Play the Tournament Players Club in Myrtle Beach at a price of only $75 a round, a significant savings over the standard cost of $185.

Hilton Head Rentals & Golf (http://www.hiltonheadvacation.com)

• 30 percent off one to seven bedroom vacation rentals, including pet-friendly properties, during remaining summer weeks.

Surfside Realty Company (http://www.surfsiderealty.com)

• Book six nights in select properties and get your seventh night FREE, plus four FREE tickets to Ride With the Dolphins or to spend the day at Wild Water & Wheels Water Park. Pet-friendly homes available.

Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley
Allstar Lodging (http://www.allstarlodging.com)

• Through September 21, 2009, reserve two nights in select rentals at the regular price and receive the third night FREE (mid-week or weekend stays).
• A diverse array of additional summer specials is available when reserving specific properties as listed online.

WESTERN U.S.
Colorado Rocky Mountains
Key to the Rockies Lodging Company (http://www.keytotherockies.com)

• Reserve three nights and get the fourth night FREE for select studio, condo and vacation home rentals (valid through October 31, 2009).

San Diego, California
Beachfront Only Vacation Rentals (http://www.beachfrontonly.com)

• Five percent off online bookings.
• 10 to 15 percent off any last minute bookings (3 weeks or sooner).
• Two-night minimum stays with no restrictions.

Northern California
Irish Beach Rental Agency (http://www.irishbeach.com)

• Receive every fifth night FREE (for stays through August, excluding holidays).

Central Oregon
Discover Sunriver Vacation Rentals (http://www.discoversunriver.com)

• Layaway your vacation with a $99 deposit; Guests can make monthly payments, interest-free with no service charges.
• Tennis vacation packages in partnership with Steve Vaughn’s Wild West Tennis Camps that include lessons, court usage, meals, and more.
• Family getaway packages, including High Desert Museum admission, full breakfast for four, FREE swimming, FREE tennis, FREE fitness center access and two FREE Flowrider sessions. Three night, four day packages start at $179 per person inclusive.

Oregon’s Mount Hood
Mt. Hood Vacation Rentals (http://www.mthoodrentals.com)
Book a new reservation in a Featured Vacation Rental for stays through September 6, 2009, and:

• Stay two nights and the third night is half price (arrival must be less than 21 days in advance of booking date).
• Stay three nights and the fourth night is half price (arrival must be less than 45 days in advance of booking date).
• Stay four nights and the fifth night is half price.
• Stay five to seven nights, the sixth night is half price and the seventh night is FREE.

*According to the April 2009 travelhorizons(TM) survey by the U.S. Travel Association and Ypartnership.

ABOUT DISCOVER VACATION HOMES
Discover Vacation Homes (www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com) is the trusted public voice and an expert resource on behalf of the professionally managed vacation rental industry. As the awareness initiative of the long-standing Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), it represents approximately 150,000 rental homes, condos and villas from more than 500 of the most well established vacation rental management companies in North America and the Caribbean. Often costing less than a single hotel room, vacation rentals afford travelers an accommodations lifestyle unlike any other, providing considerably more space, amenities, guest services, and privacy than other lodging options.

VRMA Media Contacts
Amanda Drake
Account Executive, MMGY Global
adrake@mmgyglobal.com
(407) 838-1829