New Gay Vacation Provider Offers Alternative to Circuit Scene

July 12, 2003 - Gay men and lesbians seeking fun, safe, meaningful travel experiences have a new place to turn, with the birth of gay owned, Zoom Vacations. This new outbound tour operator offers affordable, yet luxurious travel packages to gay and lesbian travelers, and their families and friends, to "hot" destinations around the world that offer a great value for the money.

“I realized that with the amount of money spent on a circuit party, one could take a real vacation,” said Zoom Vacations co-founder, Joel Cabrera, “and many people I had met at these parties felt the same way.”

Cabrera and business partner Bill Gudenau saw the need for creating travel experiences for the gay community that would provide the social aspects of the circuit, but in a more meaningful, modern way. Zoom was created to address the changing needs of the gay community in the forever changing world of travel, said Cabrera.

“As the world becomes a more accepting, embracing place for gay people, I think most of us are finding that we no longer need to huddle in gay ghettos or the gay circuit in order to be ourselves,” said Cabrera. “Zoom provides the opportunity for us to travel with our gay friends while feeling comfortable, free, and out.” Each tour is researched to ensure that all hotels, restaurants, and excursions are gay friendly and safe, he said.

The trips are luxurious while remaining value-driven. One can find several week-long land-only packages with 4 and 5 star accommodations, including several meals and excursions, for under $2,000 to destinations such as Australia, Peru, and Costa Rica, and more.

Zoom Vacations differs from many other outbound tour operators in that gay-embracing straight people are encouraged to come along. “Too often, friends and families of gay people are excluded from spending time with the gay people in their lives,” said Gudenau. “I have many straight friends and family members who enrich my life, and my goal is to provide amazing vacation experiences in which all feel comfortable, safe, and at ease. Zoom is for anyone with a modern sensibility.”

For more information, please go to www.zoomvacations.com, or call 1 866 966-6822.