THE GAY TRAVELER, "A RAINBOW ADVENTURE"
BY CLAY LARROY
When you choose to travel,
whether it is for business or pleasure, it is important to plan your trip well
before hand. Don't be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers let
their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of your
traveling and spend the miles you've earned! Miles have expiration dates, so be
sure to use them before they expire. Often you can use them on items other than
travel, so check out your options and get to spending. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
Travel
planning for the gay and lesbian traveler is both a very similar and yet very
different experience than most straight travelers encounter. After all, travel
is travel and many of the issues are the same: where to go and when, budget,
who you travel with. Behind each of these seemingly simple decisions, however,
is the somewhat amorphous term "gay-friendly" and the issue of the
extent to which a gay traveler will be allowed to travel openly, safely, and
comfortably in a destination.
In
general, gay and lesbian travelers travel often and have an above average
disposable income, comprising approximately 10% of the traveling public. Gay
travelers are as varied in their choice of destinations as any other group, but
tend to pursue destinations that market to and recognize the gay community.
Naturally,
a complicating factor is the absence of absolutes. Bigotry can arise in the
most "gay friendly" of locations and many supposedly hostile
environments fail to live up to the reputation a vocal minority has fostered.
Nevertheless, some advance planning can help to ensure that your travels are
trouble-free and as relaxing or engaging as you choose, without undue
additional consideration.
As
always, one of the best possible places to start planning is with a good travel
consultant. Most travel agents have professional resources at hand to assist
all types of travelers in selecting travel environments that match their needs.
These resources also provide direct and unbiased information on the quality and
ambiance of various destinations and accommodations and the general attitude
toward gay travelers; many destinations have no concerns or laws surrounding
gay travel, while others are openly hostile environments, both legally and
socially. In addition, experienced travel agents will know which travel
companies are capable of delivering quality services and have a history of
providing reliable travel arrangements for gay clientele.
Choosing
a vacation destination involves seriously considering the purpose of your trip
and your willingness to conform to indigenous customs. According to the Travel
Industry Association (TIA), nearly half of gay and lesbian travelers said that
a destination with a gay-friendly reputation is a prime consideration in
leisure travel choices, and locating a destination where gay travelers can
"hold their partner’s hand in public with no concerns for harassment"
influenced more than half of gay men and two-thirds of gay women in their
choices. This is not a surprise, since cultural norms in many countries frown on
open displays of affection in any circumstance for any traveler, and for gay
travelers, this can even result in legal action.
REFERENCE SITES:
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
The best way to get to know
the place you are traveling in is to walk around... and the best way to walk
around is with comfortable shoes! Grab your travel buddy and your running shoes
and go explore!
Laura Marano
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