May 14, 2012
Out Escapes Website Debuts for LGBT Travel
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Miami, FL - Out Escapes (www.OutEscapes.com) announced the public launch of its innovative website, which offers members and friends of the LGBT community bookable travel and event packages at top travel destinations and properties around the world through limited-time sale offers. The website is the first travel flash sales website ever to be geared specifically to the LGBT community--an industry estimated at $65 billion in revenue a year.
The site, curated by expert travel industry insiders, also allows members to interact by not only posting reviews of their own experiences, but also through a feature called "Meet Me Here" (launching June 2012), which allows Out Escapes members to view each other's profiles, travel dates and arrange to meet in person anywhere in the world.
Founded and spearheaded by travel industry veterans Jimmy Im and Todd Murray, Out Escapes brings together a diverse and highly skilled team of LGBT travel experts and industry writers as authorities on each exclusive escape and event.
Members will have access to hand-picked escape and event packages carefully curated and reviewed by experts to ensure small but significant moments - such as booking a room with one bed, having a couple's massage or celebrating a special, romantic occasion - are not overlooked. A highly curated collection of escape packages include accommodations at stunning properties and fabulous extras such as spa services, an outdoor adventure, fresh flowers, gourmet dinner prepared by a chef, or even a wedding. �
Membership to Out Escapes is free. Opt-in users will be able to build a profile and receive regular email alerts announcing sales and special member offers. Each sale is available for seven days or until inventory runs out-at previously negotiated discount prices by the Out Escapes team. With one click of a button, members will have their next escape and/or event seamlessly booked and guaranteed to be not only LGBT-friendly, but also of superior quality. �
Once the particular sale has closed, the escape and event package will be moved to the archive providing members the opportunity to find a roster of luxury hotels and events that will still be available for review.
"The LGBT community has identified that a destination's reputation for being LGBT-friendly is by far the biggest motivation for choosing their next getaway for pleasure or business," says Jimmy Im, Co-Founder of Out Escapes. "Unfortunately, the endless travel websites and search engines provide little, if any, insight into this valuable information. Out Escapes members have access to escapes and events that are free from discrimination in the most beautiful places on the planet."
In addition to travel packages, Out Escapes event packages create an exciting platform for event organizers to connect with target customers and redefine the way the LGBT community arrange to attend their favorite events such as Wonderland Weekend, Aspen Gay Ski Week, Out in the Vineyard and Amsterdam Gay Pride.
Event packages are able to include admission tickets at discounted prices as well as added-value extras such as VIP entrance, open bar and luxury car service--just to name a few perks.
Out Escapes goes live on May 15th but users can sign up now at www.OutEscapes.com, where they'll receive a notice when the site goes live.
For more information, visit www.OutEscapes.com
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
