VAX VacationAccess, the largest online source for travel agents to research, market and sell leisure travel, announces the launch of the Gay Travel Showcase. 

This new resource within VAX is designed to help agents sell more effectively to their LGBT clients.

The Gay Travel Showcase will launch July 2011 and be managed in cooperation with International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association Lifetime Achievement award-winner and 26-year travel industry veteran Charlie Rounds.

The site will feature the latest in LGBT travel trends, a list of travel suppliers, tour operators and destinations that are selling to this market and paying travel agent commissions, as well as a calendar of worldwide LGBT events bookable on VAX.

“Travel agents know their clients’ interests better than anyone,” said Charlie Rounds, former president of RSVP Vacations.

“For the first time ever, those agents will have access to the information they need to help them better sell to their LGBT customers.”

VAX president Kathy Fitzpatrick said the new site is in line with VAX’s ongoing commitment to add more content and resources for agents.

“The segment is desirable, yet an underserved market.  Any additional information and resources that we can provide our agents to better sell and support their customers makes good business sense for all.”

The Gay Travel Showcase will serve as a tool for the more than 100,000 travel agents who utilize VAX, making it an attractive space for suppliers and destinations interested in reaching the LGBT market.

In addition to the promotional content that will be featured, Rounds, a former travel agent, will provide advice and expertise on this growing segment.

“Many companies have tried to reach out to LGBT travellers through their own micro-sites and advertising campaigns,” said Rounds.

“Now there is a place where those companies can showcase their commitment to our community and present their product at the point of sale.”

VAX VacationAccess and Rounds plan to create a travel agent advisory board to get feedback from agents and will feature roundtable discussions with suppliers who are reaching out to this market. 

“We will keep agents coming back with fresh and exciting content and offers presented by the many agent-friendly suppliers who market and sell through VAX VacationAccess today,” said Rounds.