Survey Reveals Top Gay Destinations around the World

New York City and London are top destinations among American gay and lesbian travelers, according to the 12th Annual Gay & Lesbian Tourism Survey conducted by Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI). Canada, where gay marriage is legal, dominates the international list with three of the top 10 destinations.

7,561 LGBT consumers completed Community Marketing’s 12th Annual Gay & Lesbian Tourism Survey, a fifteen-minute online questionnaire, in the 27-day period from September 5 to October 1, 2007.

Respondents were recruited from CMI’s list of over 40,000 gay and lesbian consumers, derived over the past decade through announcements in LGBT newspapers, magazines and websites, and at events.

The top-10 travel destinations for gay and lesbian consumers are London, Puerto Vallarta, Paris, Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cancun, Puerto Rico and Rome.

Respondents indicated that they chose leisure destinations because friends recommended them, they offer unique attractions, and are known for their gay-friendliness.

Respondents took an average of five overnight trips in the twelve months preceding the survey. 94 percent of respondents spent at least one night in a hotel during the past year, with an average of 14 nights. 86 percent traveled by commercial airline at least one time during the year, with a median of 6 flights.

Survey results will be presented at Community Marketing’s 8th International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism, slated fro December 2 thru 5, 2007, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.