GAY TRAVEL AND TOURISM

 

GAY TOURISM CHANGING

Gay and Lesbian travelers are influencing change in the tourism industry, resulting in new opportunities for your operators, accommodations and destinations around the world.

Within the last decade, gay travelers have been offered more gay-friendly travel options, creating a dramatic shift in the top 10 favorite destinations among gay travelers. Top international choices include Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Italy, Germany and Netherlands.  Cruises have become even more popular in recent years.



The American gay and lesbian community represents a US $55 billion travel industry (assuming that gays and lesbians make up a conservative 5% of the travel industry figure presented by the US Dept. of Commerce). Recent gay & lesbian surveys show,

  • Median household income of US respondents is $79,000.  
  • 35% of US respondents live in households earning over $100,000.
  • Median age of US respondents is 45 years.
  • 71% of US respondents hold a valid passport. 47% used it in the past year.
  • The median respondent spent approximately $6,300 (8% of household income) on travel last year, about $1,250 per trip.   (data  by  CMI)

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  • 76% of respondents said that they were more likely to choose to travel to destinations that are known for being gay-friendly.
  • Leisure travel should see a gain in spending over the next year, as 40% indicate they will increase spending on leisure travel, versus only 11% that expect to reduce spending.
  • 84% took at least one flight in the last year, and the median respondent took six flights.  
  • 92% of lesbians and gay men purchased an airline ticket on the Internet last year.
  • Respondents spent a median of 15 nights in a hotel during the last year.
  • 44% said that having internet service available was important to their choice of a hotel. It was their #1 motivator.
  • 67% rented a car at least once in the last year.
  • 18% took a cruise in the last year.

    No matter where you're going, be sure to see if they have a  FUN  MAP before you go! Columbia FunMaps® continues its commitment to highlight the best that American Cities have to offer gay travelers. From gay entertainment to unique gay friendly shops and dining, our gay maps and web site make it easy for you to interact with businesses that welcome patronage from the GLBT community.

    • GAY GUIDES  and  GAY TRAVEL GUIDES are also great sources for information!

     

    Posted by Gay Lesbian LGBT Travel at 10/22/2006 9:32 AM
    Categories: Usefull Links
     

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