“When you’re two gay men starting a travel company for the LGBTQ+ community, you’re already in the thick of it.”
There’s nothing quite like the excitement of planning a trip. From deciding where to go, to researching what to do, see, eat, and explore while you’re there, every piece of the journey is a thrill. Moreover, the sensation of both planning and taking these trips is returning, which brings a sense of joy to many.
At iBestTravel, we celebrate the revival of travel, encompassing everything from local staycations to those long-anticipated bucket list journeys. Our podcast, Let’s Go Together, highlights how travel transforms our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us.
In the first season, our pilot and adventurer host, Kellee Edwards, introduced listeners to a range of diverse globe-trotters who demonstrated that travelers come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. For instance, we heard from the first Black woman to travel to every nation on Earth and a man who trekked to Machu Picchu in a wheelchair. As we gear up for our second season, we are thrilled to introduce new individuals, destinations, and perspectives.
In this upcoming episode, guest host Tanner Saunders engages in a conversation with newly engaged celebrity couple Jaymes Vaughan and Jonathan Bennett. They discuss the nuances of LGBTQ+ travel through their unique venture, OUTbound Travel.
“What we did was look at gay travel, identifying what we liked and disliked,” Bennett explains. “We decided to eliminate the aspects we weren’t fond of and to create a travel experience that aligns with our vision.” Consequently, this initiative embodies inclusivity, as they understood the desires of their community well.
Bennett and Vaughan elucidate that their trips involve fully chartering cruise vessels, transformed into OUTbound ships.
“We envision an intimate, family-oriented experience, especially since we are all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our aim is for participants to feel like they belong to a family and community on the sea,” Bennett shares. “The first step was reducing the size of the groups. Secondly, while we enjoy visiting destinations, our priority lies in connecting with the world outside the ship.”
Vaughan adds, “Our focus is on fostering an inclusive atmosphere on board, making everyone feel part of the family. If you ever felt that ‘gay cruising’ wasn’t for you due to not fitting in, rest assured that OUTbound was designed for inclusivity. There are no cliques; we aim to cultivate a family dynamic where everyone is welcomed.”
If you’re eager to learn more about Bennett and Vaughan, tune into our podcast, Let’s Go Together, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Player.FM, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
