Forty years after Judy Dlugacz founded Olivia, her groundbreaking women's record label-turned-lesbian travel company has scheduled four anniversary trips in 2013 - but the Olivia celebration is about much more than just exciting vacations.

The story of this pioneering brand dates back to 1973. Dlugacz launched Olivia after a friend suggested that she start a women's record company. Meg Christian and Cris Williamson came on as Olivia Records' earliest featured artists, and that top talent helped it grow into one of the industry's most successful independent labels. Despite having little money and little experience, Dlugacz and her team sold millions of albums over the next 20 years while creating new opportunities for female musicians and fans.

In 1990, Olivia turned the spotlight on some of its most popular headliners by hosting its first "concert on a cruise." The event's popularity inspired Olivia Travel, which has since taken 150,000 women on more than 170 cruise, resort and luxury trips worldwide. However, company success did not come easily.

"Our goal was to create a safe, free, inclusive environment for lesbians on vacation. Many of our early guests were out in other aspects of their lives - around friends and family or at work, for example - yet they didn't feel comfortable being themselves in unfamiliar destinations," explains Dlugacz. "In the beginning, we couldn't find anyone who would charter a ship to a group of lesbians. Companies were scared."

Dlugacz eventually landed Olivia's first charter and 600 women departed for the Bahamas. From there, the company built its reputation for excellence one trip at a time by making lasting bonds with cruise companies, resorts and loyal guests. As the menu of trips expanded, so did the number of bookings for each journey. When Olivia announced its first 40th anniversary cruise, all 2,100 spots sold out within a few weeks.

"Olivia really stands out from other tour providers. Our entertainment and activities are tailored to lesbians, and
we buy out the entire resort or cruise ship. This is the first time that many of our guests find themselves surrounded by like-minded individuals. We also attract an incredibly diverse audience by offering options for solo travelers, couples
and groups," says Dlugacz.

To commemorate four successful decades, Olivia is offering four enticing trips in 2013. Back-to-back Southern Caribbean cruises will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, (January 27-February 3, 2013, and February 3-10, 2013) and two consecutive trips head to the all-inclusive Club Med Punta Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic (May 11-18, 2013 and May 18-25, 2013). The second week of each trip was added due to continued demand after the initial weeks filled up so quickly, and all four journeys boast unparalleled entertainment and recreation - including appearances by Meg Christian, Cris Williamson and featured guests Billie Jean King (cruises) and Wanda Sykes (resort trips).

As it celebrates past accomplishments, the Olivia team looks forward to future success. The company maintains its commitment to philanthropy by heading up fundraisers for disaster relief, sponsoring children in need, supporting
environmental research and serving as an advocate for LGBT issues.

New trips are added to each year's schedule, including new 2013 excursions to the Virgin Isles and Vietnam
& Cambodia. And, after achieving success in music and travel, Dlugacz is planning the third piece of the Olivia trilogy: an active adult resort retirement community near Palm Springs, Calif.

Most importantly, the company will continue raising awareness about LGBT issues and causes. "As we
provide top-quality service to our guests, we also aim to change hearts and minds. The Olivia community has the power to educate others and share what it means to be a lesbian traveler," says Dlugacz. "It is an opportunity that our team takes very seriously."

MEDIA CONTACT
Catherine Boire 
T +1 707 255 5997
E cbpr@olivia.com