explora Chile - Art of Travel

EXPLORA OPERATIONS UP AND RUNNING smoothly

FOLLOWING DEVASTATING earthquake AND TIDAL WAVE IN CHILE

Pioneering Santiago-based travel company reports few repercussions from quake, though explora + Wine Program in Alto Cachapoal Valley has been suspended and alternative sites offered

Blessings counted, donations encouraged and matched

WHO/WHAT: explora, the pioneering Santiago, Chile-based travel company, has issued a statement in the wake of the devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake and tidal wave that struck some regions of its home country on February 27, 2010. Josef Stirnimann, General Manager of explora, voiced the heartfelt concern shared by the company’s 355 employees, the vast majority of whom are based in Chile. The earthquake was the 5th strongest on record, releasing 500 times more energy than the catastrophic quake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010.

SANTIAGO OPERATIONS: Recognizing the unique challenges the earthquake and its aftermath have placed upon Chile, explora is thankful to report that all of its Santiago-based employees and their respective families are well. Public transportation, power, water and communications in the Chilean capital are working and explora headquarters is functioning normally. Meanwhile, the international airport in Santiago has reopened for limited domestic and international flights and is expected to be fully operational by week’s end.

EXPLORA DESTINATIONS: explora destinations in Atacama, Easter Island and Patagonia - each located hundreds if not thousands of miles from the epicenter of the earthquake - are also running smoothly with guests and employees in good spirits. Indeed, the quake was imperceptible at these locations.

EXPLORA + WINE PROGRAM SUSPENDED: In the Alto Cachapoal Valley south of Santiago, Casa Porta Estate, site of the explora + Wine program, suffered extensive damage from the earthquake. For guests already booked and reserved, the company has proposed alternative destinations for the tailor-made wine program, including Valparaiso, Zapallar and Santiago. Casa Porta Estates is owned by CV Family Estates, sister company of explora.

DONATONS ENCOURAGED: While counting its blessings, explora is encouraging employees and travel agency friends to donate to humanitarian organizations in Chile. Employees have been asked to donate clothing, blankets, diapers and non-perishable food items through Hogar de Cristo. Monetary donations are being channeled through Red Cross Chile, while personal and work hours can be dedicated to the rebuilding process through A Roof for Chile NGO. Monetary donations from employees are being matched by explora, which is also donating toiletries, blankets, slippers, furniture and mattresses.

APPRECIATION / FOLLOW UP: explora wishes to thank its clientele for their collective thoughts and prayers during this trying time. The company will post regular updates on its Facebook site in the days ahead.

For more information, please call explora toll free in the U.S. at 1-866-750-6699, email reserve@explora.com, or visit the new website at www.explora.com.