The Key West Business Guild, GLBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce, is inviting college students and folks of all ages to take a break this spring in Key West, Florida’s southernmost city.
The Business Guild officially started inviting gay spring breakers in 2007, the island has attracted gay spring breakers for more than thirty years. During these years the Guild has learned a lot about which activities were the most popular and has encouraged Key West venues to offer them.
Spring activities for March and April 2010 on the sub-tropical island include pool parties, water adventures, dance and tea parties, sunset soirees, and much more. As spring breakers head to beach towns throughout Florida, the island city of Key West once again expects to be the top destination choice for younger gay men and lesbians.
“In 2009, attendees flocked to pool parties or spent the day on the water snorkeling, fishing, and jet skiing,” said Ian Whitney, Guild Board Member. “At night, they enjoyed Key West’s legendary shows and nightlife. Our focus this year is to provide a fun and diverse atmosphere and let people know about different options for activities from which they can choose.”
Of course, gay spring break in Key West has no age limit and is at the height of Key West’s tourist season, so expect a diverse collection of gay and lesbian tourists in addition to the college-aged revelers. Gay Spring Break events are open to everyone. According to John Giuliano, Guild Executive Director, “Gay spring break is for the young and the young at heart. Everyone deserves a break in paradise to enjoy the myriad of events, activities and just relaxing beach or poolside”.
The Guild Marketing Director, Steve Smith, reports that Key West was rated the second-most gay friendly travel destination in a 2008 Travel Industry Association/Harris Interactive/Witeck-Combs survey. Key West has also been rated as the top gay spring break destination by planetout.com, gay.com, and travelchannel.com; and the readers of “The Out Traveler” and OutTraveler.com have repeatedly named Key West their favorite gay resort town.
While many vacation destinations have experienced a dramatic decline in occupancy, Key West has remained strong. Its occupancy rate for Feb 2010 was higher than the previous year and exceeded that of Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
