Vagabond Inn Becomes First Hotel Merchant Available For Yiftee Gift Giving

LOS ANGELES, CA, May 30, 2013 (Press-News.org) Vagabond Inn joins Yiftee's gift-giving app, which includes more than 12,000 "featured" merchants, as the first hotel entity. Within the app, users can send their loved ones everything from a "Thank You" cup of coffee at a local shop to a two-night stay at any Vagabond Inn hotel.

"Giving the gift of travel gives the recipient a true experience versus a material object," said Vagabond Inn CEO, Juan Llaca. "With Yiftee, our guests can send their friends and family to stay at any Vagabond Inn hotel throughout California, Nevada or Oregon. In other words, they can quickly and easily give a virtual gift for the trip of a lifetime, which is rewarding for everyone."

iPhone and Android users can download the free Yiftee app or login to Yiftee.com, choose a Facebook friend or enter their name, select a gift at the desired location, write a short message, pay and send via email, text or Facebook post - from anywhere, anytime. "Giftees" then pick up and use their gifts at the local business, similar to using a gift card. The app ultimately benefits both users and merchants, as users are given an easy gift-giving experience with minimal effort and merchants gain added sales and social exposure.

"You could say that if you are not investing in gift certificates, and advertising them via your digital community, you are leaving a significant amount of hotel revenue on the table," said Pedro Colaco, president and CEO of GuestCentric in an article for Tnooz. "Hence, gift certificates or gift cards are a great way to grow your client portfolio, by driving traffic to your hotel or hospitality services."

As a representative of convenient guest stays and strong local communities, Vagabond Inn became the first hotel merchant of Yiftee, a Menlo Park, CA based company, to further these ideals. Each Vagabond Inn hotel is locally owned and operated, so the app's connection between local business communities and consumers creates an advantage for every hotel.

"Guests are already using smartphones to book rooms and look up hotel information, so we thought, 'why not take that a step further and allow our guests to send the great value of Vagabond Inn hotels as a gift?' said VP of Operations, Chuck Valentino. "If you could send your mom on a weekend getaway to Los Angeles or San Diego and she could redeem it without hassle, wouldn't you get on board?"

Vagabond Inn is consistently improving its technology resources to better accommodate its guests and maintain loyalty among West Coast travelers. Yiftee will increase the visibility of the hotel chain among social app users, and make it easier for customers to give a memorable gift without breaking the bank.

About Vagabond Inn Corporation
At Vagabond Inn hotels, the "Great Value, Friendly People" pledge is more than just a slogan - it is a promise to deliver comfortable accommodations, quality amenities, pleasant staff, affordable prices and classic, West Coast hospitality to each and every guest. Since our start in 1958, Vagabond Inn has changed and evolved greatly, and today offers more than 40 hotels in California, Nevada and Oregon. As an expansion of the brand, we feature a number of Vagabond Inn Executive hotels, which meet the needs of cost-conscious business travelers. Vagabond Inn continues to collaborate with its hotel partners to grow throughout California and surrounding states. For more information, please visit http://www.VagabondInn.com.

About Yiftee Local Gifts, On-the-Go
Yiftee (http://www.yiftee.com) (launched in December 2012) is an exciting new mobile app and Internet service that lets consumers send thoughtful, unexpected gifts (most under $20) among friends, family and colleagues quickly and easily via email, mobile and social media. Yiftee gifts are real items that the recipients pick up using their smart phones and tablets at favorite local restaurants and shops, driving profitable business to local merchants. Please see yiftee.com to give your gift and spread the Yiftee love.