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OUT ADVENTURES TAKES HOME 2 IGLTA MARKETING AWARDS
May 12, 2009 – TORONTO, CANADA
Toronto based OUT Adventures was the big winner at the 2009 International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s annual convention, taking home Best Website and Best Sales Collateral awards. That represents 2 out of only 3 awards presented each year. The awards gala happened this past Saturday, May 9th in OUT Adventures’ hometown of Toronto.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by this global organization of over 1,300 members” says Robert Sharp, Co-Founder of OUT Adventures. “We aimed to provide a clean website and brochure that speaks to our customer base, and couldn’t be happier that our peers have identified this effort”.
John Tanzella, Executive Director of IGLTA adds “We are very excited to have OUT Adventures as a member of IGLTA, and we congratulate them on winning two awards for their marketing efforts at our recent Annual Convention. OUT Adventures is truly a leader in providing incredible itineraries all over the globe, and ensuring value for their clients”.
The OUT Adventures website can be viewed at www.out-adventures.com. And they encourages both clients and industry partners to choose the eco-friendly option of downloading their brochure at http://www.out-adventures.com/web/brochure/.
For more information please contact Robert Sharp at robert@out-adventures.com or 416.583.2680.
Left to right, Steven Larkin, Co-Founder OUT Adventures, Eric Blais, Director New Media, Peacepoint Productions, Les Tomlin, President/Executive Producer Peacepoint Productions, Andrew Chang, Chief Operating Officer Pink Triangle Press, Robert Sharp, Co-Founder OUT Adventures at the IGLTA Annual Convention Gala in Toronto, Canada.
Left to right, Loren Christie, CTV’s Canada AM, Robert Sharp, Co-Founder OUT Adventures and Andrew Roberts of gay travel speclaiist Amro Worldwide in England at the OUT Adventures reception welcoming the IGLTA to Toronto.
OUT Adventures Announces Launch Of Lgbt Family Tours
NOVEMBER 24, 2009 - TORONTO, CANADA
Canadian based OUT Adventures announces 8 new Family trips which are dedicated to LGBT parents with children above the age of 6. Trips will operate in Thailand, Vietnam, India, China, South Africa, Spain and Italy with a maximum of 14 passengers per departure.
OUT ADVENTURES LAUNCHES OPERATIONS
OCTOBER 3, 2008 - TORONTO, CANADA
Canadian-based OUT Adventures Inc. officially launches their operations and website today – October 6th, 2008. Business and personal partners Steven Larkin and Robert Sharp created OUT Adventures to address a void in the lesbian and gay (LGBT) travel segment.
“As average gay travelers, Steven and I felt we could leverage our extensive knowledge of the LGBT market and mainstream travel industry to provide a more affordable, culturally enriching experience to gays, lesbians, their friends and families,” says Robert.
Larkin adds “Gays and lesbians are looking for their next big travel experience. But in this day and age they also don’t want to break the bank. We offer a truly engaging, comfortable experience that hopefully leaves them planning their next journey with us”. Gay and gay-friendly leaders will run the OUT Adventures trips, focusing on small groups (no more than 12 passengers), real life experiences, affordability and responsible travel.
In order to provide the best itineraries at affordable prices, OUT Adventures has partnered with the world’s leading adventure tour operator, Intrepid Travel from Melbourne, Australia. Intrepid Travel will hold a 20% minority interest in the company and OUT Adventures in turn has the ability to work with a global network of destination management companies which fall under the Intrepid brand.
Darrell Wade, CEO and Co-founder of Intrepid Travel adds “There are many companies offering high-end and luxury travel to this market but few, if any, who offer affordable and grassroots travel. This is where OUT Adventures and Intrepid Travel step in to offer gay and lesbian travellers real life travel experiences to over 35 destinations around the world”
Recent research from the United States shows that 58 percent of gays and lesbians travelled internationally in 2007. Of those, 53% spent between $1500 and $3499 per vacation, while 31% spend over $3500 per vacation.
Travellers can choose from different trip styles, including Active, Comfort, Family and a premium level of travel, In Style. All-inclusive trip prices average CAD $2300. OUT Adventures trips are available directly through www.out-adventures.com, Intrepid Travel and travel agents worldwide.
For more information please contact Robert Sharp at robert@out-adventures.com
About OUT Adventures Inc.
Toronto, Canada based OUT Adventures was founded by President Steven Larkin and Executive Vice President Robert Sharp and provides closed small group adventures to the LGBT community with over 35 worldwide destinations. OUT Adventures aims to offer a more affordable, culturally engaging and eco-friendly travel experience.
OUT Adventures is a proud member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association and the Travel Industry Council of Ontario. Visit www.out-adventures.com for more information and complete product offerings.
About Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd.
With over 19 years of experience, Intrepid Travel is one of the world’s leading small group adventure tour operators. Intrepid offers over 450 itineraries in more than 90 destinations worldwide. Intrepid trips are designed to go off the beaten track, meet the locals and travel in an unconventional way, joining locals on their transport, in their markets and even in their homes. Visit www.intrepidtravel.com for more information.
Feature published in Outlooks Magazine
OCTOBER 1, 2008 - TORONTO, CANADA
IT’S A SMALL (GAY) WORLD AFTER ALL
Whoever said that gays are taking over the world was right. Or at least a few steps closer with the inception of OUT Adventures. The lovechild of Robert Sharp and his partner - both in business and at home - Steven Larkin, this new company offers adventure travel exclusively to the GLBT community.
Homegrown in Calgary, Robert followed his heart to Toronto after meeting Steven 5 years ago. Together they toured the world. However, each time they’d return feeling there was a void in the travel market. Never one hundred percent comfortable holding hands or kissing in public while other straight couples were snapping photos, they decided to address the issue by starting their own company.
“We wanted to offer a safe, comfortable travel experience for people like us.” says Robert. “There were the gay cruises and resorts, but nothing that satisfied our adventurous spirit.”
And with trips from Swaziland to Rio, adventurous it is indeed. The company’s focus is on small intimate groups. No, not that kind of intimate. But the laundry list of why they’re a unique and green travel choice goes on and on: eco-friendly and sustainable tourism; employing local resources; trips to all seven continents; and affordability. A high-flying homo couldn’t ask for more.
So pack your facial products, tell the bar tenders you won’t be seeing them for a while, and brush up on your foreign pick up lines. OUT Adventures is ready to show you how big and gay the world can really be.
For more information on specific adventures, visit www.out- adventures.com.
Paul Fung
Freelance Writer
