Further deepening ties and contributions by PRIDE Travel's owners and employees to the organization, owner and CEO Marc R. Kassouf was appointed co-chair, Diversity Committee of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA). In his continuing duties as a member of the Committee, Mr. Kassouf now takes on additional strategic and administrative roles to help facilitate the production of plans and processes to fulfill the Committee's mission as tasked by the Board of Directors of IGLTA. Bryan Herb, IGLTA Board Chairman elaborated that the Diversity committee is charged with creating actionable plans for IGLTA staff to diversify the membership geographically, by member type, and demographically. "We're pleased to have Marc onboard as co-chair." Herb said, adding that "his efforts to date on the committee have been excellent and he has contributed many fresh ideas."

PRIDE Travel has been an active member and supporter of IGLTA, attending conferences and events including this year's highly successful international conference in Toronto, Canada. In addition to promoting and advancing tourism and travel for its members in the greater Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) communities, the IGLTA also serves as a conduit for PRIDE Travel's owners and officers to network with fellow industry executives. This not only benefits the communities and marketplace as a whole, but allows PRIDE Travel to be better positioned to tap those sources for its clients' benefit and in growing sales and the business. "We are excited to not only contribute to IGLTA's success and mission, but benefit from membership in the organization in so many ways," Said Mr. Kassouf.

To support the conference and fundraising efforts, PRIDE Travel had donated a seven night accommodations package to one of over 5000 resorts worldwide. The donation was the second highest grossing silent auction item at the May 2009 conference, topped only by two first class tickets donated generously by TAM airlines. Both of these items and others were auctioned with all proceeds benefitting IGLTA directly to continue its mission.



The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, IGLTA, is the world's leading authority, resource and representative of gay and lesbian travel. Its membership is located in over 60 countries around the world and consists of accommodations, airlines, tour operators, travel agents, tourism offices, media and other key players in the tourism industry. IGLTA works to help the tourism industry attract gay and lesbian consumers and learn more about the gay and lesbian travel, a $70 billion market in the USA alone. Since its founding in 1983, IGLTA has expanded its international influence from just 25 members to well over 1,800.

For more information about IGLTA, visit www.IGLTA.org or call +1.954.630.1637.



PRIDE Travel of Long Beach, California is a full service agency specializing in cruise, tour package, villa, and condo rentals. We also offer our community the full breadth of travel products and expertise. While we cater to the needs of Gays and Lesbians in the LGBTQ community, we are 'hetero friendly'™ and frequently book individuals, couples, and families with children on trips and vacations worldwide. Pride Travel is an award-winning agency that has been recognized for our active participation and contributions to our local and LGBTQ communities. We also hold numerous travel industry certifications and accreditations, as well as official certification by destination and country visitors' bureaus; we are active members and certified by the Travel Institute, the Cruise Line Industry Association, and the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. Original travel articles and content is contributed regularly and distributed at our blog, http://blog.pridetravelonline.com.

PRIDE Travel's media page can be located at http://www.expertclick.com/19-3675. For more details about our credentials, please visit our website at www.pridetravelonline.com and click on About Us or contact Mr. Marc R. Kassouf, Owner & CEO, at 562.432.3888 or via email at media2@pridetravelonline.com. Pride Travel, Mr. Kassouf and Mr. S. Nathan DePetris, Owner & COO, welcome your inquiries regarding interviews, speaking engagements, and other media collaboration.