Posts Tagged ‘Travel and Tourism’

Out Front Destination: Palm Springs

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Why is it these days that I am blogging more and more about the LGBT tourism industry? Could it be that I am ready for a vacation? Countdown to May 26 is on (aka when time off begins…)!

My sister and her husband own a timeshare property through one of the major hotel chains. The deal they have is that they can exchange it for any sister property around the world. The past couple of years, they have cashed in and exchanged it for Palm Springs/Palm Desert, California, and as a family, we cashed in and joined them.

To say I love Palm Springs is an understatement. It's incredibly beautiful. I love that you can tan at the pool in the middle of the desert, overlooking the mountains. The downtown area is so eclectic and fun– great restaurants, great nightlife, and great shopping.

The first time I ventured to Palm Springs was actually for work. Almost five years ago, I was working at a different firm and we were doing a grassroots healthcare tour, with a stop in Palm Springs. We stayed just for one night, and it was one of those nights where I was free from client responsibility, which meant that I could actually explore the town.

As a member of the LGBT community, you immediately feel at home in Palm Springs. There are so many LGBT-owned businesses, hotels and bars to welcome you to the city. And, it's not a hidden part of the town– it's an inherent part of the business community.

And five years ago, I was still coming into my own as an adult gay male, and to be in Palm Springs and feel so comfortable and so welcoming was such a helpful part of my journey.

It's fair to say that many members of the LGBT community feel this way about Palm Springs. In an article yesterday in The Desert Sun, the reporter pointed out that Palm Springs ranks 13th in desired travel destinations for the LGBT consumer. Many small-business LGBT owners, as well as our allies in the hospitality industry, were interviewed to share their positive experience of embracing the LGBT consumer and how open Palm Springs has become for us. Many travelers are also on record detailing how this "comfort level" is a main driver behind selecting the ideal LGBT travel hot spot. Plus, they have major LGBT events– like the Dinah Shore Weekend and the White Party.

So, I officially add Palm Springs to my list of cities that "get it"– cities that understand the opportunity and the reward that comes with marketing to the LGBT community and involving the LGBT community in your outreach.

While Palm Springs isn't on my destination list for 2010, I certainly welcome the opportunity to visit, should anyone choose to send me….anyone?

Have a great week.  

| April 12th, 2010 No Comments »
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Gay, the European Way

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I know Spring isn't scheduled to arrive until this weekend, but I have to tell you– it's beautiful here in Cleveland right now! Sunny, almost 60 degrees– what a way to prematurely start the weekend!

Now I know the past couple of postings I have focused on the tourism industry and LGBT marketing. Perhaps it stems from my desire to go on vacation somewhere. Regardless, I keep seeing LGBT marketing progress coming from this sector, and now, my interest is captured by some great LGBT travel products from across the pond.

London is a city I have always wanted to visit, yet never had the opportunity to do so. And apparently, they want me to come! The "tourism chiefs" in London have launched a "Gay London" iPhone application, which provides listings of bars, restaurants, hotels and attractions. Additionally, it also features a blog (unfortunately, not ours) which promises to be continuously updated with LGBT news and events for visitors to London.

In the Czech Republic, ESO Travel has released a "Pink Go" brochure, which boasts gay-friendly hotels, crusies, and LGBT-only accommodations from around the globe. But, no such hotels or houses are listed for Czech itself. According to teh CEO of the travel company, "there are no hotels or guest houses in the Czech Republic that were ready to clearly declare their gay friendliness or approach to this minority. So I think that this project may inspire other service providers within the Czech Republic and we think that definitely in the next brochure we will be able to include some wellness facilities that will be willing to label themselves a gay-friendly destination.”  

First NYC, then Houston, off to Atlantic City and Philly, now London and the rest of Europe. The tourism industry has established how trendy it is to be "LGBT friendly." You can market to us, but you need to give us discounts as well. And, even more effective, make sure you have a presence within the local LGBT community, and not just focused on those visiting your humble abodes.

Have a good weekend all. My forecast calls for shopping, sleeping, and perhaps sunning. You choose the order. 

| March 19th, 2010 No Comments »
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Mount Everest…Gay Haven?

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I have to give a small shout-out to fellow blogger, Erin Grohs, who raised more than $2,500 by shaving her head for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds for childhood cancer research and was founded on this glorious day. I can also report that she looks like a rock star bald.

Last week, Michael Murphy blogged about cities around the U.S. joining New York in attempts to attract LGBT dollars. Well, I’d like to throw an entire country into the mix. The nation of Nepal is hoping that a new marketing push to the world’s LGBT community will double the number of tourists to the poverty stricken yet majestically beautiful country by next year. Only a few years ago in the historically conservative Hindu nation, gay and transgendered persons were publically harassed, beaten and sometimes raped, while homosexuality in rural locations was completely ignored as tradition forced people into arranged marriages at an early age.

What completely fills me with joy is that Nepal seems to really understand that to attract the LGBT community, it needs to have actual substance in the message they send to the world. Since the ending of the last monarchy in 2008 when it became the world’s newest republic, Nepal has elected its first openly gay parliamentarian, Sunil Pant; created a weekly TV show called “Third Gender;” begun issuing third gender identity cards in addition to offering a third gender option on government forms, including an upcoming census; and a soon to be formed constitution will include extensively outlined rights to the gay community, potentially even marriage.

According to Aditya Baral, a representative from the Nepal Tourism Board, the shift in the nation is both a reflection of the changing sentiment in acceptance among people and a true understanding that targeting the multi-billion dollar gay tourism industry is just good business. He says Napal realizes that luring gay tourists will be far more lucrative than the backpackers who stay in cheap hotels and travel on shoestring budgets.  Parliamentarian Pant, who also owns the Pink Mountain tourism company, wants to offer the world’s highest gay weddings at the base camp of Mount Everest and turn the nation into a south Asian haven for gay tourism as its neighboring countries are still not gay-friendly destinations.

I congratulate Nepal on its successes for gay rights and hope it sees many more towards its tourism goals so the rest of the world may take notice at what can happen when a country defies tradition and the “it’s always been that way” attitude and does what’s right. So until then, if you are planning a wedding, honeymoon or exotic vacation, why not try Nepal?

| March 17th, 2010 No Comments »
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Gays Go Bragh

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While I can't say I missed the cold rain that hit Chicago this past Saturday as I basked in 80 degree tropical perfection on the coast of Puerto Rico, I did miss the wonderful St. Patrick's Day festivities Chicago is known for — most importantly the dying of the Chicago River. It's not my favorite holiday, but has definitely grown on me since moving to Chicago three years ago.

Proud gay Irish New Yorkers might not share my sentiments though for their hometown and its festivities. From our friends at Queerty, I read today how The Ancient Order of Hibernians, the group that organizes New York City's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade down Fifth Avenue, will again prohibit gays and LGBT organizations from participating in the event. What follows in their blog post is a solid argument on how this event does and should have the right to admit or deny participants (including LGBT groups), just as gay pride parade organizers can, and instead suggests that this ignorant discrimination of many gay Irish individuals is an opportunity for education and communication. I agree with Queerty's approach and applaud them for their efforts to leverage communications to educate those people who are afraid, unfamiliar with or just prejudice to LGBT community and culture.

And that's just what Frank Cleary, chairman of Dublin Pride, did today, issuing the following statement via press release: "The exclusion of any groups from celebrating our national holiday abroad is deeply discriminatory and rooted in closed-mindedness; this is deeply un-Irish and something we cannot allow to happen in the name of an event that is about celebrating Ireland's rich cultural heritage, of which the LGBT community are a cornerstone here in Ireland."

So whether you're in New York or New Mexico, gay or straight, Irish or some other heritage, wearing green or asking to be pinched today, celebrate the Irish and your own cultural heritage today with pride. Meanwhile, remember that many diverse people form the patchwork story of each culture, including LGBT individuals, and talk about everyone's unique contributions. It's a day to be proud of who you are and the many different people who shaped your country's own story and culture.

| March 17th, 2010 No Comments »
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My Gay [INSERT CITY HERE]

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Happy Friday to all! Writing this in-flight back from NYC, where I had the opportunity to attend the 2010 PRWeek Awards. Was great to see some LGBT-focused campaigns being recognized, and kudos to all the winners.

I recently blogged about the tourism plans for NYC to attract the LGBT dollar. Well, it seems that this marketing strategy is not limited to the Big Apple. In light of last year's election of the first openly gay mayor Annise Parker, the city of Houston has re-vamped its tourismand marketing campaign to attract gay and lesbian tourists to the fourth largest city in the U.S. “My Gay Houston” features gay Houstonians in print advertisements and on the newly re-vamped Web site. While the local CVB insists that the timing of the re-launch of the LGBT campaign was coincidental, the city clearly benefited from the national exposure on the LGBT media radar.

Houston, like most major cities, face a tough road to attract the LGBT dollar. According to media articles, Texas ranks relatively low for gay rights– including a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Additionally, protestors have started to focus on the campaign– one rural pastor tried to boycott the city, and other Web sites have committed to not patronizing Houston businesses as a result of the LGBT outreach.

On the East Coast, Atlantic City is also trying to cash in on the LGBT tourism dollar. Harrah's has led the way locally with a weekend of gay-targeted entertainment events, and other properties are making a concerted effort to target the gay audience. Philadelphia is also trying to live up to it's "Brotherly Love" motto by targeting the LGBT audience to the city of cheesesteaks and liberty bells.

So why all of the attention? Part of me thinks it is because of the economy and the need to chase the remaining dollars that are left. The other part hopes that companies, and cities for that matter, recognize that the LGBT audience is one that is both influencial and affluencial, and represents the best opportunity to expand a brand in today's marketplace.

The one small part of me wishes that I could visit Houston and check out if it could be "My Gay Houston."

Have a great weekend.

(Photo: Houston Mayor Annise Parker)

| March 12th, 2010 No Comments »
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