explora joins relief efforts in the wake of the recent earthquake

- 1 March 2010

explora reports only minor repercussions from the earthquake that occurred in the city of Concepcion on 26 February 2010 but thanks their clients and friends for all their thoughts and prayers.

RELIEF EFFORTS: explora are deeply sadden by this tragedy and are actively participating in the relief efforts to help those less fortunate than themselves. On this front, the following actions have been taken:

Encourage guests, tour operators and travel agency friends to make monetary donations. A list of preferred institutions has been created.

Employees at explora have been asked to:
a. Donate clothing, blankets, nappies and non-perishable food items through the Hogar de Cristo
b. Make monetary donations, which will be channeled through the Red Cross Chile
c. Allocate personal and work hours to the rebuilding process of the damaged areas by assisting A Roof for Chile NGO

3. explora will:
a. Match employees donations
b. Donate toiletries, blankets, slippers, furniture and mattresses

WHO/WHAT: explora has issued a statement in the wake of the devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck 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 12 January 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 weathering this tragedy cataclysm 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 20 March.

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.

MINOR REPERCUSSIONS: In the Alto Cachapoal Valley, Casa Porta Estate, site of the explora + Wine program, sustained some structural damage, which is being evaluated. Casa Porta Estates is owned by CV Family Estates, sister company of explora. If necessary, an alternative site will be offered for explora + Wine program at the earliest possible convenience.