Market Growing for LGBT Destinations That Cater to Travelers and Their Families The Yucatan Times
go to original July 5, 2014

Back in the 1970s, gay tours took men rafting in the Grand Canyon and to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival. Gay hotels began opening in Key West, Florida, and destinations like Provincetown, Massachusetts, were creating some of the first marketing to gay and lesbian travelers.

Today, there are tours spanning the globe, not only for gay men but also for lesbian, bisexual and transgender travelers and their children. Major hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott have dedicated LGBT microsites and vacation packages. And same-sex marriage laws are transforming cities into travel destinations, with tourism boards and hotels sponsoring LGBT events and funding advertising campaigns with taglines like Las Vegas’ “Everyone’s welcome. Even straight people.”

Most of these changes have come in the aftermath of the recession — when hospitality brands began ramping up ways to lure a niche market that studies said prioritized travel and spent accordingly — and when more and more states are legalizing same-sex marriage.

“Having gay marriage passed in so many states has made a big difference,” said Robert Adams, editorial director of Passport magazine, which has an audience of mostly affluent gay male travelers. “People feel they can go someplace and be themselves.”

Read the rest at The Yucatan Times

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