Intrepid Launches Gay and Lesbian Tours

    BOULDER, CO, October 24, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Intrepid Travel, one of the world's leading adventure tour operators has announced a strategic partnership in which Intrepid Travel has secured a 20 per cent minority interest in gay-owned OUT Adventures.

The deal allows Intrepid Travel to take its small group adventure holidays to a dynamic market by partnering with a company that understands the needs of the gay and lesbian community.

Recent research from the United States shows that 58 per cent of gays and lesbians travelled internationally in 2007, taking an average of 3.5 trips each. An overwhelming majority of 98 per cent indicated that an operator or destination's gay-friendly reputation influenced their destination decision.

"We have long wanted to enter this market but knew that we needed to find the right partner before doing so. We are proud to be working with OUT Adventure's owners, Steven and Robert to offer the gay and lesbian community an exciting travel product tailored to their specific needs. We feel that their understanding of the gay and lesbian community, coupled with our experience in small group adventure tours will make this a successful partnership," said Darrell Wade, CEO and Co-Founder of Intrepid Travel.

OUT Adventures Executive Vice President and Co-Founder Robert Sharp 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 45 destinations around the world."

The trips will be closed to gay and lesbian travellers and their friends and family. Gay and gay-friendly leaders will run the trips that will focus on small groups (no more than 12), real life experiences, affordability and responsible travel.

Travellers can choose from Active, Comfort, Family and a premium level of travel, In Style that is new to Intrepid Travel and exclusive to gay and lesbian travellers.

Trips start from USD $727 for the OUT Thailand Hike, Bike and Raft trip and will be available through Intrepid Travel, OUT Adventures and at travel agents worldwide.

To view the complete OUT product offering, visit http://www.intrepidtravel.com/outadventures.

Example itineraries

ACTIVE - OUT Turkey Active - 8 Days
Discover the historical heart of Turkey. Flex those muscles cycling through lush landscape, hike forgotten trails and kayak over sunken Lycian and Byzantine relics.

PRICE (per person)
USD $920
PLUS LOCAL PAYMENT YTL $750

FAMILY - OUT Spain Family - 15 days
Journey from Madrid to Cordoba sampling tasty tapas and famous paintings. Discover Spain's Moorish heart with the entire family.

PRICE (per person)
USD $2460
LOCAL PAYMENT EUR $400

COMFORT - OUT South African Experience - 14 days
Experience Kruger National park, the beautiful kingdoms of Swaziland and Mozambique and indulge in Cape Town, Cape Point and even a local winery. **Special Pride (19 February 2009) and New Years (17 December 2009) departures**

PRICE (per person)
USD $3305
LOCAL PAYMENT ZAR $3900

INSTYLE - OUT Ancient Kingdom of Thailand - 7 days
Golden rays bask you in the 'Land of a Thousand Smiles' as you seamlessly go from ancient temples and palaces to the latest fashion shopping.

PRICE (per person)
USD $1345
LOCAL PAYMENT THB $4250

About Intrepid Travel

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.

For USA Media inquiries, please contact Ashley Montblanc at LDPR Communications, 212-696-0660. For media inquiries outside of the USA, please contact Eliza Anderson, Global PR Manager, [email protected]

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