NEW YORK -- Family Abroad, which has been selling escorted tours to
gays and lesbians for the past six years, announced it will shut
down in September.
Citing low volume, company president Peter Schulze said Family
Abroad will cease operations on Sept. 30 following its French barge
cruise in the Alsace-Lorraine region, the company's last scheduled
departure this year. There were no programs scheduled for next
year.
"Over the past six years, Family Abroad has offered innovative
escorted travel of the highest quality for the gay and lesbian
community," Schulze said in a statement.
"We had hoped to continue, but the volume was insufficient to
maintain the high quality standards for which Family Abroad is
renowned. Rather than compromise quality, we have decided to
suspend operations," he said. "We extend our thanks to the many
loyal clients who have traveled with us and to the travel agents
who have supported our efforts since 1994."
Family Abroad's decision to close up shop was not unexpected.
Last December, the company announced it would scale back its 2000
tours to five scheduled departures, down from more than 40 in
1999.
The late decision forced Family Abroad to scrap a 32-page 2000
brochure that was ready for distribution, a move that cost the
operator "a significant amount of money," Schulze said at the
time.
In addition, the four-person company was forced to lay off one
employee, and Jeffrey Allen, the manager of reservations, took a
leave of absence.