PlanetOut is revealing its 13th annual
PlanetOut Travel Awards, sponsored by Travelocity. PlanetOut presented
the awards at a luncheon co-sponsored by the company and Travelocity at the
annual convention of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association
(IGLTA) in Washington, D.C.
  Formerly known as the OUT&ABOUT Editor’s Choice Awards, the renamed
awards continued to recognize achievements in gay and lesbian travel during
the past year, as well as bring attention to an industry increasingly
opening doors to LGBT travelers and the $65 billion they spend annually on
travel (Community Marketing, Inc.).

  This year’s winners included:

  —Gay resort town: Provincetown

  —Domestic destination: New York City

  —International destination: Buenos Aires

  —Destination of the year: Spain

  —Airline: American Airlines

  —Cruise company: Crystal Cruises

  —Hotel collection: Hyatt Hotels and Resorts

  —Gay resort: Royal Palms

  —Tour operator*: OutWest Global Adventures

  —Gay events: Sydney Mardi Gras
  “There might as well be a map of Spain next to the definition of
‘progressive society’ in the dictionary,” said Ed Salvato, travel editor,
PlanetOut Inc. “With a headstrong leap into modernity, Spain has doffed its
Franco past and embraced an inclusive social policy such as legalized
same-sex marriage, hedonistic nightlife, cutting-edge cuisine and
fast-moving energy amid balconies and Iberian charm.”

  Travelocity again showed its support of gay and lesbian travel with its
sponsorship of the awards. “It’s an honor for Travelocity to take part in
these long-standing awards,” said Saltzburg. “We’re very much looking
forward to seeing even more places open up to this audience.”

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