LGBTQ tourism (orgay tourism) is a form of tourism marketed to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. It may also include a focus on other members of the (broader) community.[4]
The tourism, and its related establishments, may have the goal of celebrating the community, commemorating the LGBT+ rights movement, educating members outside of the community, or a combination of these elements.
People might be open about theirsexual orientation andgender identity at times, but less so in areas known forviolence against LGBTQ people. Hence, knowing which regions are welcoming of LGTBQ+ tourists is valuable.[5][6]
The main components of LGBTQ tourism include: destinations, accommodations, and travel services wishing to attract LGBTQ tourists; people looking to travel toLGBTQ-friendly destinations; people wanting to travel with other LGBTQ people when traveling regardless of the destination; and LGBTQ travelers who are mainly concerned with cultural and safety issues.[7]
The slang termgaycation has come to imply a version of a vacation that includes a pronounced aspect of LGBTQ culture, either in the journey or destination.[8]
The LGBTQ tourism industry includes destinations (tourism offices and CVBs),travel agents, accommodations and hotel groups, tour companies, cruise lines, and travel advertising and promotions companies who market these destinations to thegay community.[7]
Coinciding with the increased visibility of LGBTQ people raising children in the 1990s, an increase in family-friendly LGBTQ tourism has emerged in the 2000s, for instanceR Family Vacations which includes activities and entertainment geared towards couples includingsame-sex weddings.
R Family's first cruise was held aboardNorwegian Cruise Lines'sNorwegian Dawn with 1600 passengers including 600 children.[9][10]
Major companies in thetravel industry have become aware of the substantial money (also known as the "pink money") generated by this marketing niche and have made it a point to align themselves with the gay community and gay tourism campaigns.[11]
According to a 2000 Travel University report, 10% of international tourists were gays and lesbians, accounting for more than 70 million arrivals worldwide.[12] This market segment is expected to continue to grow as a result of ongoing acceptance of LGBTQ people and changing attitudes towards sexual and gender minorities.[7]
Outside larger companies, LGBTQ tourists are offered other traditional tourism tools, such as networks of LGBTQ individuals who offer each other hospitality during their travels and even home swaps where people live in each other's homes.[13] Also, available worldwide are social groups for resident and visiting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender expatriates and friends.[14]
LGBT-friendly travel destinations are popularly known because they usually maintainwelcoming attitudes, with local leaders and business owners instilling a consciousness and positive awareness of LGBTQ travelers to their fellow inhabitants and employees.
These locales also feature infrastructure, businesses and services whose representatives are sensitive to and friendly with LGBT travelers; this includes everything from bars, travel agencies/guides, restaurants, hotels, resorts, nightlife, entertainment, media, political/legal aid and, more than anything, the opportunity to meet others and socialize.[5][7]
Gay travel destinations are often medium to large cities, and can coincide with the existence ofgay neighborhoods. These neighborhoods often work actively to develop their reputations as safe and fun, specifically for LGBTQ people, to travel to.
LGBTQtravel guideQueer in the World states, "The fabulosity of Gay New York is unrivaled on Earth, andqueer culture seeps into every corner of its five boroughs".[15]
The LGBTQ tourism industry is highly profitable; an average of US$65 billion is spent on gay travel in the US alone, annually. According toIn Europe, the gay tourism market has been estimated at €50 billion per year by the Gay European Tourism Association.
The adult LGBTQ community in the US had a total economic spending power of more than $600 billion annually, as of 2007 (according to Witeck-Combs),[16] and by 2016 this had risen to $917 billion.[17] Some governments tend to highlight this for foreign visitors, like the official US website[18] that promotes historic New York places inGreenwich Village, such as theStonewall Inn orEve's Hangout,[19] that are well-known sites to visit for Europeans.[20]
Philadelphia was the first destination in the world to create and air a television commercial specifically marketed towards gay tourists. Philadelphia was also the first destination to commission a research study, aimed at a specific destination, to learn about gay travel to a specific city.[21][better source needed]
Cape Town, South Africa, is widely regarded as Africa's gay hub, and is a popular LGBTQ+ tourism destination, and location forsame-sex weddings and honeymoons. The country has extensive, codified, constitutionalLGBTQ+ rights, and Cape Town in particular is home to many out and proud LGBTQ+ residents, and is very welcoming to pink tourists (members of the community who travel to the city).[22][23][24]
De Waterkant is a well-knowngay village in Cape Town. Known as the city's gayborhood, De Waterkant is home to a permanent rainbow crosswalk, and numerous LGBTQ+-related establishments. Since 2022, the area has also been home to the Pink Lane, a pink, painted line along certain sidewalks, that takes visitors on a tour of LGBTQ+-related establishments around the area, with the goal of celebrating the community, and its inclusivity.[22][23][24]
TheInternational Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) holds an annual world convention and four symposia in different tourism destinations around the world.[25] Each symposium attracts over 500 representatives of convention & visitor bureaus, tour agencies and travel publications that specialize in the gay and lesbian market.
The Association was founded in 1983, and it currently represents over 2000 members. Its headquarters are in Fort Lauderdale,Florida.[26] The "17th International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism" was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, on 11–13 December 2016.
With nine issues a year,Passport Magazine is currently the only gay and lesbian travel magazine still in publication in the United States.[citation needed] It is available internationally. Spartacus International and FunMaps of Maplewood, New Jersey, have promoted gay- and lesbian-friendly businesses since 1982. One of Europe's gay and lesbian travel marketing specialists isOut Now Consulting.
The Gay European Tourism Association (GETA) works to promote and enhance LGBT tourism in Europe.[27]
In 2003, LGBT activistJuan P. Julia Blanch opened the first gay-friendly hotel chainAxel Hotels in several cities and countries around the world.[28][29][30][31][32]
There are a large number of LGBT events, such as:
Many OTA travel websites now feature LGBT travel search options. The most popular travel resources are still ones from local LGBT media organizations and online LGBT news and lifestyle websites.[35][36] Additional destination-specific LGBT travel information is commonly found on niche gay travel blogs.[37]
The US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs now offers information about LGBT travel and provides tips about what one can do before traveling. It also provides information about different issues one should take care of before traveling.
In 69 UN member states, there arelaws that criminalize consensual same-sex relationships, making it important to check the laws of the country before travelling to avoid issues and persecution.[38]
LGBT museums and exhibits focus on documenting and presenting the history, culture, and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities. These institutions play a crucial role in preserving diverse LGBT stories, using artifacts, documents, and multimedia to show the community's contributions to society, art, politics, and culture.[39][40]
LGBT museums, like the GLBT Historical Society Museum in San Francisco, often become key places for education and cultural engagement. Exhibits in general museums also highlight important events, movements, and figures in LGBT history, giving visitors the opportunity to explore these narratives.[41][42]
Their support of tourism includes drawing in visitors interested in exploring the history and culture of LGBT communities, offering unique and educational experiences. They also contribute to the promotion of inclusive tourism, attracting a diverse audience and enhancing the cultural appeal of the destinations where they are located.[43][44]
TheGLBT Historical Society Museum in San Francisco, established in 2011, is one of the first museums in the United States dedicated to LGBT history. It offers both permanent and temporary exhibits that cover different aspects of LGBT life and history. By focusing specifically on LGBT history, the museum draws tourists who want to understand the evolution of LGBT rights and culture, as well as those interested in San Francisco’s important role in the LGBT rights movement.[45][46]
In Minnesota, theHistorical and Cultural Society of Clay County at theHjemkomst Center hosted the exhibit "At Last: 10th Anniversary of Marriage Equality in Minnesota" to celebrate ten years since same-sex marriage was legalized in the state.
The exhibit included a range of materials, such as photographs, legal documents, and personal stories, to show the journey toward marriage equality in Minnesota. It attracted both tourists and local visitors, especially those interested in civil rights history and the progress of LGBT legal and social acceptance. By focusing on this important legal milestone, the exhibit provided insight into the broader struggle for LGBT rights in the United States, making it a significant attraction for people visiting the region.[47][48][49]
Report on the number and value of gay European tourists – by GETA – the Gay European Tourism Association (2013).
Cloud, J. (2010). "Gay Days in the Magic Kingdom".Time, 175(24), 69–70.
Link, M. (2007). "Fantastic family fun".Advocate, (983), 52–53.
Scott Gatz. (2009).Advocate, (1027/1028), 87.
