SYDNEY, Australia -- Gay Games VI is more than a year away, but
it's not too early to start selling it to clients -- that's the
word from suppliers.
The Olympic-style event, which is expected to attract tens of
thousands of visitors, is slated to take place in Sydney from Nov.
2 to 9.
How big do tour operators think the Gay Games in Sydney will be?
"Absolutely huge," said Jeff Adam, vice president of sales and
marketing for Los Angeles-based Inta-Aussie South Pacific Tours,
one of the accredited travel suppliers for Gay Games VI.
The Gay Games, held once every four years since 1982, have
brought thousands of visitors to host cities, which have included
Amsterdam, New York, San Francisco and Vancouver.
The organizing committee for this year's event is expecting
11,500 athletes to compete in 31 sports across 45 venues.
More than 3,000 volunteers will pitch in at the event and 25,000
visitors are expected to attend, according to officials. In
addition, the city of Sydney will host two weeks of cultural events
to coincide with the sporting events.
"We were an official wholesaler for the Olympic games and for
the Americas Cup," said Adam.
"I [think] we will get more business with the Gay Games than the
other two put together. We've had to secure large blocks of space,
[and] we're doing a lot of post-event packages."
Adam said agents should already be selling Gay Games VI to their
clients.
"We really see this as a great opportunity for travel agents,"
he said, noting that Inta-Aussie sells its products solely through
agents; preferred agents get 12% commission and others get 10%.
Adam added that the publicity brought by Gay Games VI will help
to boost interest in Australia as a gay destination, even after the
event is over.
"Overall, I think this will be a fantastic year for
promotion."
How should agents build sales?
"At this point in time, they need to be looking at getting
involved with the [gay and lesbian] community."
He suggested that sponsoring booths and exhibits at gay events
is a good way of getting the word out.
"Let the local market know that you're the expert, that you're
the representative."
Several companies, including Inta-Aussie, are accredited travel
suppliers for Gay Games VI. Another is Above and Beyond Tours,
based in Palm Springs, Calif.
"We currently have [made deposits] on 1,900 beds in Sydney for
the Gay Games," said Kevin Kailey, a company spokesman. "Ninety
percent of our hotel rooms are conveniently located to Oxford
Street, Sydney's gay area; the Central Train Station, for
transportation to the Olympic site, and Darling Harbour, proposed
site of the Gay Games Village.
"We offer air options on Qantas, and Air Pacific and we are [a]
worldwide gay tour operator for United Airlines."
While it is primarily a sporting event, Adam said that Gay Games
VI appeals to a wider audience of travelers.
"They don't necessarily have to be sporting fans," he said,
noting that cultural events also are scheduled as well as the
possibility of pre- and post-tours that can be added to
packages.
How to be there when the games begin
SYDNEY, Australia -- Several packages are being offered for Gay
Games VI attendees and participants, including the following:
Inta-Aussie South Pacific Tours
The Sprinter package, which starts at $1,699 and includes
roundtrip air from Los Angeles or San Francisco and nine nights'
accommodations.The Ceremonial Touch, which starts at $1,899 and features
tickets to either the opening or closing ceremony, air fare, studio
apartment accommodations for four nights, tours, roundtrip air from
Los Angeles or San Francisco.The Medal Winning Gay Games package, which starts at $2,225 and
includes roundtrip air from San Francisco or Los Angeles, nine
nights' accommodations, airport transfers and a cruise. All rates
are per person, double.The company offers a variety of post-event tours that feature
destinations such as Melbourne, Cairns and Dunk Island, Australia;
Fiji; Tasmania; New Zealand, and Tahiti.For details, call
Inta-Aussie at (888) GAY-9667 or visit www.inta-gday.com.
Above and Beyond Tours
A nine-night, air-inclusive package for athletes that starts at
$1,485, per person, double.A nine-night air-inclusive Gold Medal package for spectators
that starts at $2,520 per person, double. The company offers
escorted pre- and post-event options throughout Australia, New
Zealand and Fiji.Details on the packages can be found on www.abovebeyondtours.com.
For more details on Gay Games VI, as well as information about
other accredited travel suppliers for the event, visit the
following Web sites:
Federation of Gay Games (the organization that oversees the Gay
Games events): www.gaygames.com.Sydney 2002 (the Web site of the organizing committee for the
Sydney event): www.sydney2002.org.au/frameset.asp.Gay Australia Guide (a general guide to gay traµvel in
Australia): www.gayaus traliaguide.com.