Gay Travel Is A Massive Industry

As the globe learns to simply accept folks of all varieties, the gay and lesbian community continues to find itself expanding into all sorts of niche markets. LGBT or lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgendered/transsexual travel agencies are a booming business, experiencing a high level of growth. Corporations that do not partake in gay travel are aligning themselves with those who do so as to get a bit of this cash pie.

Gay individuals come in all shapes and forms and monetary circumstances. Many of them are professionals living in tiny towns or cities that haven't yet progressed to acceptance of same sex relationships or marriages. Many gay couples are still hiding their lifestyles from the prying eyes of others. A gay vacation, however, provides them the opportunity to be open and honest regarding their love and their life.

Gay travel agencies ensure that the destinations gay tours and teams are going are at least gay friendly, if not gay specific altogether. A gay friendly destination can have contact to shows and theaters that cater to the alternative lifestyle community. Several cities have gay neighborhoods or 'gay-borhoods', also entire strips of retailers that concentrate on servicing the gay population. A gay specific tour group or cruise can not only have these options however will additionally guarantee its entire compliment of guests are of an alternative lifestyle choice.

In order to leap in on this growing business enterprise, some airlines are sponsoring international events just like the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Called the New Mardi Gras by several, this Sydney, Australia event is highly celebrated by the gay population across the world. Airlines sponsoring the event also provide gay friendly flight accommodations and travel planning.

Other fashionable events that gay folks wish to travel are film festivals. Canada, a country known for welcoming the gay travel and tourism community, provides these and different attractions. Gay individuals prefer to participate in traditional activities that everyone else does when traveling. Both urban and out of doors activities created friendly and specifically for gays are offered in Canada also other countries. A gay tour that has safety and respect is an ideal outlet for a professional gay couple.

Gay tourism is considered a distinct segment market of the travel industry. Ten percent of tourists are professed gays, either lesbian or homosexual. Add to that the many that are discretely hiding their lifestyles and it is easy to see why firms are realizing the worth of providing gay specific tourism plans. The term for cash spent by gay professionals is the 'pink dollar' or 'pink pound'. Corporations used to handling 'normal' or straight heterosexual customers are learning more and more to provide tourism to the gay population.

Gay people have come a long way from having to hide their sexuality, though still some feel they have to and rightly so. In the times of World War II, homosexuality was considered a crime in the United States. To get around being referred to as gay and possibly getting into trouble, gay people referred to themselves 'friends of Dorothy'. In the eighties, when gay social groups would take cruises and need to advertise their events, employees on ships and tours would feel nervous. So, the event would be listed as a 'meeting of the friends of Dorothy.' Gay travel has obviously come very far since those days.

Tourism is a international industry and gay travel is only one part of it. However, with passing years and additional acceptance, the gay population is happily taking a lively role in selecting what to try and do with their luxury time. The gay friendly or gay specific travel destinations open up, the more cash there will be to be created by third world countries in need of a new business or economic resource.

For more information on Gay Travel we invite you to read this article on Gay Travel Tips