by Paul Heney
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Fri April 27, 2018
This summer, the tenth iteration of the Gay Games will be held in Paris.
Gay Games 10 promises to be a big affair, with an expected 15,000 sports participants, 40,000 visitors and 300,000 spectators from August 4-12, 2018. From a traveler's perspective, KTS will be an important name to know, as the company has been named as the official travel agency of the Games.
KTS, which has been in business for a half-century, operates across France, as well as in Monte Carlo and other European destinations, providing original and innovative incentive programs, congress and convention assistance, leisure group tours, tailor-made packages, and wedding planning and honeymoons.
Jean Fiana, Business Developer Director for KTS Voyages, explained that the company will be responsible for organizing the accommodations of the Gay Games participants, as well as suggesting activities, arranging transfers, and other needed touristic services. KTS expects to work with between 2,000 and 3,000 of the 15,000 participants in the Games.
The company bid for the contract as soon as the city won the right to host the event-and it beat out some large destination management companies such as Zurich-based Kuoni and Copenhagen-based TUMLARE, according to Fiana.
Three official partner hotels have been selected: the Novotel Paris Les Halles, the Ibis Paris Bastille Opera 11th, and Le Jardin des Marais. All three are centrally located, with easy access to Paris' Metro system, and are located in or near the historic Le Marais neighborhood, the city's longtime gay center.
LGBTQ travelers who work with KTS will have the benefit of full assistance during the Gay Games, as the company will have a desk at the registration tables during the event, as well as special prices on add-on options. An emergency number will also be available during the Games, in case any problems or issues arise for travelers.
As always, this presentation of the Gay Games will be about more than just sport-they will also bring LGBTQ-themed conferences, cultural events, and festivities to France. Plans are being finalized for everything from a grand ball to cheerleading, and music to all-night parties.
KTS has developed a range of excursions, specially designed for the Games. These negotiated excursions, which range from half-day excursions to Versailles to lunch and dinner cruises, can be reviewed at travel.paris2018.com/paris2018_attractions.aspx.
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