MONTPELIER, Vt., July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Vermont tourism officials have announced that an eastern Massachusetts man and former Vermont resident is the first winner of $100 in free gas in the new 'Vermont Fuels Your Vacation' Sweepstakes sponsored by the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing and Champlain Oil Company of Burlington.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060711/CLTU534LOGO )

Bob Cassidy of Northborough, Massachusetts will receive the first $100 in free gas from the State of Vermont as part of its new fuel-themed tourism promotion. The contest will run through April 2007 and will feature a weekly $100 gas voucher winner as well as three grand prizes worth more than $1,000 each that include multi-night stays and dining at some of Vermont's top properties in addition to free gas.

"This is great, I grew up in Vermont (in Putney) and went to the University of Vermont and I really love the state," Cassidy said. "We usually come up every winter to go skiing at Killington or Okemo, and we'll definitely use the gas vouchers on our next trip to Vermont."

Vermont Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Bruce Hyde says the campaign uses free gas as a way of getting people's attention and thematically highlights the many ways in which Vermont can 'fuel' a great vacation. "Vermont can 'fuel' any vacation by offering world class food to fuel the body; and by offering great lodging, attractions, recreation and events to fuel the spirit and the mind," Hyde said.

Gas prices in Vermont have been relatively steady since early spring and are currently the lowest in the Northeast and 7th lowest in the country. Vermont's average gas price is currently $2.83 according to the most recent statistics from AAA which puts it more than $0.13 less than the national average and $0.17 less than the Northeast average.

Hyde said that even though fuel prices have dropped recently in Vermont, the cost of gas is still a constant topic of discussion in the media, and the chance to win free gas will remain a good incentive regardless of what happens with gas prices. He said he expects that this promotion will resonate with consumers and will provide a positive twist on some of the constant negative coverage of the cost of fuel.

"Looking broadly at the cost of a vacation, gas is still one of the smaller expenses that the consumer has to deal with," Hyde said. "In reality, however, so much attention has been focused on gas prices, it has become an issue for many consumers and we are trying to address those concerns in a positive way."

More details and an entry form are available online at http://www.vermontvacation.com/.

CONTACT: Jason Aldous, Director of Communications of Vermont Department
of Tourism & Marketing, Tel: +1-802-828-0528, or E-mail:
Jason.Aldous@state.vt.us

Web site: http://www.vermontvacation.com/