GAY PIONEERS MERGE

Alyson Adventures and Hanns Ebensten Travel joined under one roof

Sasha Alyson broke new ground in gay publishing, and later in gay adventure travel. Hanns Ebensten offered the first gay vacations. The companies founded by the two men merged under one roof to offer an even wider variety of travel experiences.

Two pioneering names in gay business, came together under the same roof in 2002 with the merger of Hanns Ebensten Travel and Alyson Adventures. Hanns Ebensten Travel, the first Tour Company to market specifically to gay men, and Alyson Adventures, a pioneer in adventure and outdoor vacations for gay men and lesbians, maintain their joint headquarters in Key West, Florida.

In 1972, Hanns Ebensten led a whitewater rafting trip down the Grand Canyon for gay men, setting in motion what would soon become a multi-million dollar industry. His company was the first ever to advertise openly gay trips. Ebensten was also the first to lead a mainstream group of tourists to Easter Island back in the 1960s. Now under the direction of President Philip Sheldon, the company continues to offer unusual tours for gay men, women and friends.

In 1980, Sasha Alyson created Alyson Publications, known for its controversial children's books, Daddy's Roommate and Heather Has Two Mommies. After selling the publishing house, one of the largest US-based publishers of gay books, he founded Alyson Adventures in 1995, with a focus on biking, hiking, and other active vacations for gay men and lesbians.

Philip Sheldon, is the owner and CEO of both companies. Sheldon remarked, "With this merger, we have been able to offer our clients more travel options while maintaining the same high level of service and satisfaction they have grown to expect from both companies."

Each company retains its unique niche in the tour business-Hanns Ebensten Travel with its concentration on higher-end intimate group tours emphasizing exotic locations of cultural and historical interest; and Alyson Adventures specializing in biking, hiking, diving, kayaking and other active tours.

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