Trends in Gay Travel

As more and more destinations around the world emerge as gay-friendly, one thing is clear:  the gay community is not only one of the most avid groups of travelers, but they are also among the savviest and most adventurous.  Community Marketing’s 11th Annual LGBT Travel Survey revealed that 71 percent of gay U.S. citizens hold a valid passport compared to only 24 to 30 percent of all adult U.S. citizens, and almost half of those surveyed used their passport to travel last year.

In general, gay men go on more vacations and spend more per year than lesbians.  Family, children and other factors all come into play with these statistics.  Lesbians also have fewer choices than men.  There are very few female only resorts whereas the men have over 30 male only resorts in towns like Fort Lauderdale and Palm Springs, while places like Provincetown can host both sexes or men only at their wonderful guesthouses and resorts.  Regardless, there will always be specific trends in gay travel.

WHAT’S HOT IN GAY TRAVEL

For gay & lesbian travelers In North America, a few “can’t-go-wrong” destinations:  Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Palm Springs and Provincetown, which International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association labels as its Top 4 Gay Destinations.  These “resort towns” are truly gay with numerous gay-owned resorts and businesses.  They include a major portion of their marketing budgets focusing on gay travelers.

Destinations Where Gay Men Love to Travel:

•Chicago

•Dallas

•Hawaii

•Las Vegas

•Los Angeles / West Hollywood

•Miami / South Beach

•Montreal

•New York City

•Orlando

•Philadelphia

•Portland

•Puerto Vallarta

•San Francisco & Sonoma County

•Seattle

•Toronto

•Vancouver

•Washington DC

UP & COMING GAY-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS

Curacao in the southern Caribbean, Antwerp, Belgium and Viareggio, Italy along the Tuscan Coast and Prague, Czech Republic are four hot new places that travelers need to check out!

When looking into a gay or lesbian resort and/or vacation destination you should remember that any business can hang a rainbow flag on their building or outside their door, but it takes a truly devoted business or destination to give back to the community.   The resort or destination needs to give back to the gay community by spending advertising and marketing dollars in major gay publications such in addition to mainstream publications and media.  Also, they should be displaying their IGLTA membership logo to show that they have joined the worlds’ only travel association for gay and lesbian businesses.  IGLTA has accreditation and educational programs for these various businesses and destinations.  They’re like the Better Business Bureau for gay travelers.

If you want off the beaten path or out of the ordinary, European River Cruises (groups or charters with various gay-owned companies) and small luxury cruises (groups or charters) also with gay-owned tour operators are becoming more popular.  They offer the safe, friendly atmosphere, but not the big circuit party environment.  Adventure travel is also hot.  Zoom Vacations, Out in Alaska and also Alyson Adventures are three of many great gay-owned tour operators who offer vacations for those who have done the ordinary.

TRAVEL  AGENTS?

A gay (or gay-friendly) travel agent is the best and most experienced source for things to do when you travel to specific destinations.  Always check out the calendar of events for activities and events worldwide.  Also check calendars listed in various other media, publications and websites, i.e. Planet Out FunMaps.com and Gay.com.  Sometimes websites such as Travelocity may even list gay events, advertisers and specials pertaining to them.