NEW YORK -- Logo announces that TripOutGayTravel.com, its comprehensive travel site dedicated to the LGBT traveler, will present its second annual TripOut Gay Travel Awards.

The awards will once again honor the most stylish, exciting and hottest destinations and services that attract, pamper and market to the LGBT traveler.

The travel awards will honor new nominees, returning favorites and former winners -- all vying to earn the reputation as "gay approved."

Additionally, voters this year will now have the option to share their picks via social networking. Voters can log in through their Facebook or Twitter accounts to choose their favorites, which will then alert and encourage a voter's friends or followers to sound off on which nominees deserve such intriguing titles as Sexiest Place on Earth, Best Breakout Destination, Ultimate Luxury Hotel and Best Gay Bar in the World.

"LGBT consumers, their families and friends are aficionados when it comes to using social media and traveling the globe," said John Polly, Editor-in-Chief of TripOutGayTravel.com, "It will be exciting to see how the results may change now that voter's can share their choices through social media with family and friends."

This year's nominees will generate buzz in the travel industry with the following trends found:

• Chicago and London each received two nominations, gaining momentum as premier LGBT travel destinations. Both received a nomination for Best Gay Bar while Chicago received Best U.S. Destination and London received Best Global Destination.

• Tel Aviv continues to become one of the top global travel destinations for gays and lesbians with its nominations (Sexiest Place on Earth and Best Breakout Destination).

• Las Vegas continues to be a popular destination for the gay and lesbian community with its two nominations (Best U.S. Destination and Sexiest Place on Earth). In addition, a Las Vegas resort (SkyLofts at MGM Grand) is nominated for Best Luxury Hotel/Resort.

• Dallas is also another burgeoning destination with its nominations for Best Breakout Destination and Best Gay Bar (The Round-Up Saloon).

In addition to honoring this year's best in LGBT travel and tourism, TripOutGayTravel.com will honor Charles Lapointe of Tourisme Montreal with the The Gay+ Award for Achievement in Making Our World Gayer. The award goes to an organization or travel professional who has increased awareness of the LGBT consumer in the world of travel, tourism and hospitality.

Lapointe is a former delegate to the United Nations, a former Canadian Cabinet Minister and since 1989 he has been president and CEO of the Greater Montreal Convention and Tourism Bureau, Tourisme Montreal. In 2002, he also became chairman of the Canadian Tourism Commission.

TripOutGayTravel.com recruited an academy of seasoned writers, editors and travel experts covering the LGBT travel market to comprise this year's list of nominations. However, it is up to the site's readers and fans to determine who deserves the title for the best gay destination, tour operator or hospitality service. Travel enthusiasts can vote for their favorites now on TripOutGayTravel.com and the results will be announced in early November.

Nominees for the second annual TripOut Gay Travel Awards:

Best Global Destination (City or Country)

Berlin, Germany
Buenos Aires, Argentina
London, United Kingdom
Madrid, Spain
Montreal, Canada
New York City, United States

Best U.S. Destination

Chicago
Fort Lauderdale
Las Vegas
Philadelphia
Provincetown, Mass.
San Francisco

Best Airline

American
Delta
JetBlue
LAN
Southwest
Virgin America

Best Hotel Chain (Collection)

Ace Hotels
Andaz Hotels
Axel Hotels
Four Seasons
Hyatt
Kimpton

Best LGBT Tour Operator

Alyson Adventures
Atlantis
Olivia
Out Adventures
Sweet
Zoom Vacations

Best Annual Gay Destination (Party or Event)

Amsterdam Gay Pride
The Dinah & Dinah Shore Weekend, Palm Springs
Madrid Gay Pride
Manchester Pride
Provincetown Bear Week
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

Best Ultimate Luxury Hotel/Resort (Global)

SkyLofts at MGM Grand - Las Vegas
The Raleigh - South Beach, Miami
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome – Paris, France
The London, West Hollywood – West Hollywood
Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino - Curacao, Dutch West Indies
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok – Bangkok, Thailand

Best Breakout Destination

Dallas
Mexico City
Reykjavik, Iceland
Tel Aviv, Israel
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Siem Reap, Cambodia

Sexiest Place on Earth

Barcelona, Spain
Key West, Fla.
Las Vegas
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tel Aviv, Israel
Palm Springs

Best Gay Bar in the World

The Abbey, Los Angeles
Club Manana, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Roscoe's, Chicago
The Round-Up Saloon, Dallas
Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London
The Week, Rio/Sao Paulo/Florianopolis, Brazil

The Gay+ Award for Achievement in Making our World Gayer

Charles Lapointe, Tourisme Montreal