Albuquerque – September 27, 2010 – The Travelocity Roaming Gnome® is heading to Albuquerque this week to celebrate the 39th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Saturday, October 2. He will fly in a hot air balloon, take photos with visitors at the fiesta, join a balloon chase crew, and enjoy a relaxing evening at a local resort. Anyone who “likes” him on Facebook can follow The Roaming Gnome at Balloon Fiesta.

On Saturday morning, The Roaming Gnome will take his first hot air balloon ride with Scott Appelman, president of Rainbow Ryders, in the “Q Balloon” named after the City of Albuquerque. He will return to the Balloon Fiesta Park to take pictures with visitors at the Rainbow Ryders Ride Tent’s Travelocity Booth located at the center of the park. He will greet guests between 10 a.m. and noon. In the afternoon, The Roaming Gnome will be relaxing by the pool, enjoying a spa treatment, or playing a round of golf at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa.

“We are thrilled that The Travelocity Roaming Gnome will be attending Balloon Fiesta and taking his first hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders,” said Scott Appelman, president of Rainbow Ryders, Inc. Hot Air Balloon Company, the official hot air balloon ride of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. “We hope to make this year’s event the most memorable and magical one yet as The Roaming Gnome will be meeting and taking photos with Balloon Fiesta guests from thought the world at our tent.”

After a day of hot air ballooning, The Roaming Gnome will retire to the Hyatt Regency Tamaya for the evening. “We welcome The Roaming Gnome to the resort and will introduce him to our Native American and New Mexican cultures,” said Jerry Westenhaver, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa. “He will enjoy our Chile Harvest package and we hope to learn if he prefers ‘red or green.’”

Through Travelocity’s Facebook fan page, as well as the Travelocity (@Travelocity) and Roaming Gnome (@RoamingGnome) Twitter pages, fans of The Roaming Gnome can follow his adventures and view exclusive photos of his experiences at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a world-renowned attraction and destination for kids of all ages. For more than three decades, the first week in October brings the smell of roasting chiles and the beautiful, magical moving picture show of hot air balloons sailing silently through the crisp fall air. Guests from all over the world come to Albuquerque to celebrate ballooning. Literally hundreds of balloons will be taking flight from the Balloon Fiesta Park this year October 2 through 10, 2010.

Admission to the 2010 Balloon Fiesta will be $6 for persons over the age of 12. Children 12 years old and under are admitted free. General Parking is $10 per car. Advance admission tickets are available in packs of five (5) as a Five-Event Ticket for $25 (+ $2 S&H), a $5 discount. Call (888) 422-7277 extension 303 for ticket information.

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About Travelocity Global
Travelocity® is committed to being the traveler's champion -- before, during and after the trip – and provides the most comprehensive and proactive guarantee in the industry (http://www.travelocity.com/guarantee). This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, competitive prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity one of the largest travel companies in the world. Travelocity also owns and operates: Travelocity Business® for corporate travel; igougo.com, a leading online travel community; lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel; and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel marketing and distribution.

About Rainbow Ryders, Inc. Hot Air Balloon Company
For hot air ballooning in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Albuquerque, Rainbow Ryders rises above the rest with daily, year-round balloon rides for weddings, groups, conventions, company retreats and special occasions. It even has gift certificates for Rainbow Ryders hot air balloon flights. Specializing in hot air balloon rides in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Albuquerque year round, Rainbow Ryders is the authorized hot air balloon company for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

About Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa is located on 500 acres on the Pueblo of Santa Ana, situated between Santa Fe and Albuquerque New Mexico and is adjacent to the Sandia Mountains along the Rio Grande River. 350 luxurious pueblo-style guestrooms showcase traditional designs created with natural materials along with the modern comforts and pampering amenities. Fascinating combinations of old and new are found along with a unique cultural environment offering traditional pueblo bread baking demonstrations and tribal dance performances. Also featured is the 12,000 square foot production-friendly Tamaya Ballroom; over 72,000 square feet of flexible meeting and function space; award winning Tamaya Mist Spa; 18-hole championship Twin Warriors Golf Club; The Stables at Tamaya; signature cuisine at Corn Maiden and Santa Ana Café, and the Tamaya Cultural Learning Center. For additional information about Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa or to make reservations, please visit www.tamaya.hyatt.com.

For more information please contact:
Dorothy Hornbeck at JKPR at (505) 797-6673, (505) 340-5920, or dhornbeck@jameskorenchen.com