South America based LAN Airlines has announced the launch of a website dedicated specifically to gay and lesbian travelers. According to a company press release, the new site, found at www.LANdiversity.com, showcases the diversity found throughout South America, and is a one stop and shop resource for LGBT travel to South America.
The site features information and resources for the prospective traveler to South America, including detailed descriptions of key South American destinations and recent LGBT-related news pertaining to countries throughout South America, as well as events and activities of interest to gay travelers to South America such as trips from leading LGBT tour operators.
"If you're traveling to Buenos Aires, not only can you purchase your ticket from the online booking engine, but you can read current news relating to LGBT topics in that region, view dates for the Buenos Aires International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival or Buenos Aires Pride, and find restaurants and hotels in the city that are popular among gay and lesbian travelers," said Katitiza Mandakovic, Leisure Director, LAN Airlines North America. "Our goal was to make LANdiversity.com a trusted source for news and information on LGBT travel to South America and we are so proud to be able to offer such a unique resource to travelers all over the world."
The site also has interactive Facebook and Twitter feeds to enable visitors to share their comments and connect with other like-minded travelers. Through the microsite, LAN will also offer periodic deals, specials and sweepstakes for travel to South America on LAN Airlines and its affiliate carriers.
LAN has been a major supporter of the LGBT community for a number of years. In 2009, LAN became the first Latin American airline to develop an advertising campaign specifically targeting the LGBT community. The campaign highlighted the importance of diversity and showcased South America's diversity.
In 2010, LAN was nominated "Best Airline" in LOGO's TripOut Gay Travel Awards and "Favorite International Airline" in 2011 by Edge Publications, the largest network of local LGBT news portals in the world.
LAN was recently a lead sponsor of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce's annual awards dinner held in Washington, D.C., and is a Gold-level Global Partner with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.
Operating 125 passenger aircraft, LAN and its affiliates serve over 76 destinations around the world through an extensive network that offers full connectivity within Latin America, while also linking the region with North America, Europe and the South Pacific, as well as 93 additional international destinations through its various code share agreements.
LAN and its affiliates have a strong position in their respective domestic markets of Chile and Peru as well as an important presence in the Argentinean and Ecuadorian domestic markets. Furthermore, in November 2010, LAN acquired Colombian airline AIRES, and is in the process of merging with TAM Airlines, which is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter or 2012.
Travel Note: LAN's flights from the Washington, D.C. area are operated by partner carriers such as American Airlines and typically connect with LAN Airlines or its affiliates in Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York.
Comments