Show Your Pride With New Preferred Pride Collection From Preferred Hotel Group™

NEW YORK, August 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Celebrate Pride at Over 100 "Gay Welcoming" Members Globally

Gay and lesbian travelers are now spoiled for choice as nearly 100 Preferred Hotel Group™ members around the world have joined together to create Preferred Pride, a distinctive group of independently owned and operated hotels that understand and cater to the specific needs of the LGBT traveler.

To be eligible for Preferred Pride, hotels must be either TAG Approved® (Community Marketing's Travel Alternative Group) or belong to IGLTA® (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association). Both organizations are universally recognized to set the standards for LGBT travel.

"Preferred Pride is more than just another LGBT seal of approval; the program was created to unite Preferred's diverse community of independent hoteliers who are committed to the LGBT community," said Rick Stiffler, Preferred Hotel Group executive director, leisure sales. "It is a global initiative that enables hoteliers to learn about and better understand the needs and preferences of the LGBT traveler."  

As part of the Preferred Pride program, diversity training is offered to hotels to provide insight in best practices in serving the LGBT community from check-in to check-out. Participating hotels may choose to assign an internal ambassador who has completed the training and will champion the activity within the hotel. Training suggestion examples include providing bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries befitting same sex couples; having a knowledgeable concierge who can provide a list of the area's best attractions, dining and nightlife; or simply including publications within the hotel that acknowledge the specific guest's interests.

The launch of Preferred Pride reflects Preferred Hotel Group's own equality policy to ensure that married, single, and partnered employees and associates around the world receive the same benefit opportunities like health provision and pensions.

Traveling to celebrate Pride? Visit http://www.PreferredPride.com to view the collection and tailored offers that include everything under the rainbow. From Romantic Wedding Night packages in Vermont to an hour-long river-cruise along the Seine, and from personal shopper appointments in London to rejuvenating spa experiences in Italy.

About Preferred Hotel Group™

With a global reach of more than 850 best-in-class hotels and resorts in 70 countries, Preferred Hotel Group™ represents six distinctive brands: Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Preferred Boutique™, Summit Hotels & Resorts™,Sterling Hotels™, Historic Hotels of America®.