News Update from PRIDE Travel

PRIDE Travel Receives 2009 Gold Davey Award
At the 2009 Davey Awards, the International Academy of Visual Arts recognized PRIDE Travel with its highest award, a Gold Davey, for the independent in-house production of the "Amazing Thailand" commercial which promotes Thailand as a travel destination. The commercial was produced in-house by PRIDE Travel's owner and CEO, Marc R. Kassouf, using only a standard PC and old fashioned trial and error. Kassouf initiated the project in order to promote the destination with a short commercial video at trade shows and events, as well as to add it to other similar destination videos.

With more than 4,000 entries from around the world, the Davey Awards honor the finest creative work from the best small firms, agencies and companies worldwide. The Davey Awards are judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA), a 200+ member organization of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media.

The "Amazing Thailand” commercial is available for online viewing on YouTube.

PRIDE Travel Organizes Wedding Cruise for Celebrity Music Artists
Musical artists Jason and deMarco retained PRIDE Travel to organize and coordinate a cruise in celebration of their wedding. The couple will be sailing with family, friends and fans on a seven night Carnival's Conquest round trip from Galveston, Texas near the newly-wed's home, with stops in Freeport Bahamas, Nassau Bahamas and Key West, Fla. May 2010.

A special cruise group has been setup by PRIDE Travel with Carnival Cruises, with limited space available for fans to book and sail with the artists. Those booking through PRIDE Travel will receive special amenities limited to the Jason and deMarco wedding group.

PRIDE Travel Owner and CEO Named Co-Chair of International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association's Diversity Committee
Further deepening ties and contributions by PRIDE Travel's owners and employees to the Diversity Committee of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), Kassouf was appointed co-chair to the organization. In his continuing duties as member of the committee, 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.

PRIDE Travel has been an active member and supporter of IGLTA, attending conferences and events. To support the conference and fundraising efforts, PRIDE Travel donated a seven night accommodations package to one of more than 5000 resorts worldwide. The donation was the second highest grossing silent auction item at the May 2009 conference, with all proceeds benefiting IGLTA directly to continue its mission.

PRIDE Travel LGBT Leisure Travel Sales Ahead of National Community Marketing Inc Average
In contrast to trends released from Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI), PRIDE Travel sales to LGBT leisure is up slightly for the year ending 2009 according to S. Nathan DePetris, COO and Owner of PRIDE Travel.

"We have seen growth not only in number of LGBT leisure clients booking trips," noted DePetris, "but also in the length of travel, with more clients traveling further and for longer periods."

PRIDE Travel Finds New Exciting Destination for Clients to Explore
Participants in the Seoul Tourism Organization sponsored and hosted event return home with a fresh perspective on the fascinating culture, attractions and exotic cuisine that form the facets of Korea. The familiarization tour included five fast-paced full days split between Gwangju, Korea's southern culinary capital, and Seoul, Korea's cultural and thriving metropolitan heart.

PRIDE Travel owner and COO S. Nathan DePetris participated by special invitation of the Seoul Tourism Organization, joining delegates from U.S. tour operators, journalists, travel writers, food critics and renowned chefs and foodies. All participants in this tour returned home with a strong desire to share the many fascinating facets that Korea has to offer leisure travelers, culinary foodies and convention goers in the North American market. PRIDE Travel looks forward to its part in exposing the many facets to its clients and sharing the great potential of this marvelous destination.

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