Hilton-BN-Mapblast

PALO ALTO, Calif. – MapBlast!(TM), the award-winning Web site (www.mapblast.com) that offers precise door-to-door driving directions and detailed street-level maps, today announced that Hilton Hotels Corporation and have incorporated their online services into the MapBlast! Web site.

Enhancing MapBlast!'s reputation for providing online access to top brands, Hilton and have agreed to provide travelers using MapBlast! single-click access to hotel information and travel books, respectively.

By selecting the Hilton button, users will be shown a map of their travel destination with nearby participating U.S. Hilton locations on it and be able to access detailed property information and make reservations. Similarly, by selecting the button, users will be able to browse books about their travel destination and purchase them online.

"Now customers will be able to access participating U.S. Hilton hotels and services from within the MapBlast! Web site, customized to their travel destinations," said David Cherner, general manager for MapBlast! "These new features on MapBlast! confirm the strong relationships we have established with these two respected global brands."

MapBlast! users now can access a map of their travel destination, which includes participating U.S. Hilton hotels. They also can access detailed information about nearly 500 Hilton and Conrad International hotels around the world, including property pictures, amenities, room rates and availability. Users can then complete reservations online through a direct link into Hilton's reservation system. This service provides travelers with valuable tools for planning their trips.

"The MapBlast! site is a valuable resource for consumers making travel plans, and we are delighted that MapBlast! users now will have direct access to information about nearly 500 Hilton and Conrad International hotels worldwide, " said Robert E. Dirks, senior vice president – marketing for Hilton Hotels Corporation.

By clicking on MapBlast!'s button, users are able to find books and other products related to their travel destination. By knowing a user's destination, the service will feature books containing information on attractions, recreation, restaurants, and other services. Users will be able to shop online and have the option to have their books shipped via next-day delivery.

"As users of MapBlast! technology within our site, we recognize the power of providing customers convenient access to directional information," said Carl Rosendorf, senior vice president of . "We are pleased to be selected by MapBlast! to offer location specific books to their users within the MapBlast! site."

About Hilton Hotels Corporation

Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties.

About

Since launching its online business in March 1997, BNBN has become one of the world's largest Web sites and is the fourth-largest e-commerce retailer, according to Media Metrix. Focused largely on the sale of books, music and related products, the company has capitalized on the recognized brand value of the Barnes & Noble name to become the second-largest, and one of the fastest-growing, online distributors of books.

Customers can choose from millions of new and out-of-print titles and enjoy a variety of related content such as author chats, book synopses and reader reviews. The site also offers thousands of bargain books discounted up to 91 percent, the most popular software and magazine titles, as well as gift items for every occasion. recently launched its Music Store, featuring the first online classical music superstore. With access to Barnes & Noble's more than 750,000 in-stock titles, has the largest standing inventory of any online bookseller ready for immediate delivery. The URL, www.bn.com, makes finding the site easy, and its Express Lane(SM) single-click ordering process ensures fast and convenient purchasing.

The affiliate network has more than 200,000 members and the company maintains strategic alliances with major Web portals and content sites, such as AOL, Lycos and MSN. The company is also a leader in business-to-business e-commerce with its unique Business Solutions program.

About MapBlast!

MapBlast! (www.mapblast.com) is an award-winning Web site that provides users with the most accurate interactive maps and driving directions, as well as extensive information on services and products near a user's address or travel route. MapBlast! also provides lodging information and reservation capabilities, traffic reports and local points of interest. MapBlast! receives more than 21 million page views per month from more than 1.5 million unique visitors. The site has received accolades from top-tier publications such as MacWorld, PC World, Upside, USA Today and ZDNet. MapBlast! is a free service offered by Vicinity Corporation (www.vicinity.com), the leading provider of Internet-based e-retail solutions for businesses. Vicinity is a privately held company established in 1995 and headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.

Jeanne Datz,
Hilton Hotels Communications
+1 310 205-4545