HomeAway partners with Dubai Tourism to showcase Dubai vacation homes

Dubai, UAE; June 10, 2015 – HomeAway, Inc. (NASDAQ:AWAY), the world leader in vacation rentals, today announced a partnership with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) to promote Dubai’s vacation homes to the world and Dubai as a destination to HomeAway® travelers.

The relationship enhances HomeAway’s position in the Middle East and opens Dubai up to the millions of families and groups of travelers from around the globe who book their vacation rental accommodations via HomeAway. HomeAway and Dubai Tourism will work together to strengthen the vacation homes sector in Dubai by raising awareness of and providing support to the many licensed vacation homes operators in the Emirate. Additionally, the two organizations are planning joint traveler-focused campaigns, leveraging Dubai’s world-class marketing team and HomeAway’s global strength in the vacation homes sector.

HomeAway now features hundreds of Dubai properties on its new Arabic and English website www.homeaway.ae. New legislation regarding the operation of vacation homes in the Emirate of Dubai was announced in December 2013, creating the potential for the legal use of thousands of properties across Dubai as travel accommodations. Popular locations including the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai, will be available as licensed operators list their properties with HomeAway.

“Dubai is the fourth most popular destination in the world for international visitors and is increasingly recognized as an ideal destination for families because of the beautiful beaches and numerous family-friendly attractions that include theme parks, the tallest building in the world, and even the world’s largest indoor ski area,” HomeAway Chief Executive Officer Brian Sharples, commented. “With thousands of properties suitable for vacation rentals, there is an exciting opportunity for HomeAway travelers to visit Dubai and stay in unique rental properties, which provide the space to bond, relax and create lasting memories.”

Issam Kazim, CEO Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing: “The introduction of legislation regarding the operation of vacation homes in Dubai has resulted in the broadening of Dubai’s accommodation offering, complementing our world-class hotel offering. The implementation of the legislation ensures that visitors can book a private accommodation with full confidence of quality and that homeowners who comply with the regulations have relevant protections.

HomeAway are world-leaders in the marketing of vacation rentals and their entry into the market demonstrates the potential that there is within this accommodation category. Our collaboration provides the opportunity for homeowners to leverage market-leading global marketing channels to promote their vacation homes and for Dubai Tourism to promote the emirate to the millions of HomeAway users around the world. This will result in an increase in the number of visitors to Dubai, generating further income in our retail, hospitality, entertainment and food and beverage sectors; and contributing to the achievement of the stated aim of Dubai’s Tourism Vision for 2020: to welcome 20 million annual visitors to the emirate by 2020.”

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About HomeAwayHomeAway, Inc. based in Austin, Texas, is the world leader in vacation rentals, with sites representing over one million paid listings of vacation rental homes in 190 countries. Through HomeAway, owners and property managers offer an extensive selection of vacation homes that provide travelers with memorable experiences and benefits, including more room to relax and added privacy, for less than the cost of traditional hotel accommodations. The company also makes it easy for vacation rental owners and property managers to advertise their properties and manage bookings online. The HomeAway portfolio includes the leading vacation rental websites HomeAway.com, VRBO.com and VacationRentals.com in the United States; HomeAway.co.uk and OwnersDirect.co.uk in the United Kingdom; HomeAway.de in Germany; Abritel.fr and Homelidays.com in France; HomeAway.es and Toprural.es in Spain; AlugueTemporada.com.br in Brazil; HomeAway.com.au and Stayz.com.au in Australia; and Bookabach.co.nz in New Zealand. The Asia Pacific short-term rental site, travelmob.com, is also majority owned by HomeAway.HomeAway also operates BedandBreakfast.com, the most comprehensive global site for finding bed-and-breakfast properties, providing travelers with another source for unique lodging alternatives to chain hotels. For more information about HomeAway, please visit www.HomeAway.com.

About Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (DTCM) mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai to global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the Emirate.

DTCM is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector; markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector; and is responsible for the licencing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the DTCM portfolio include Dubai Convention and Events Bureau, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (formerly known as Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment). In addition to its headquarters in Dubai, DTCM operates 20 offices worldwide.

ASDA’A Burson-MarstellerDubai, UAETel: 971-4-4507600Fax: 971-4-4358040dtcm@bm.com