Meet Your New Travel Buddies – Gay Friendly Hotels in America
Isn't it fantastic to be living in times where diversity and inclusivity aren't mere buzzwords, but a way of life? As a whopping 63.5 million travelers from the LGBTQ+ community took to the skies (and roads!) in 2019, it's evident that the appeal of globetrotting extends beyond stereotypes.1
But anyone who's packed their bags and hit the road will tell you that a comfortable, accepting, and upbeat environment to retreat to after a day of exploration is anything but 'just a hotel'. Care for a peek into a United States where every traveler feels welcomed and celebrated? Let's hit the road, shall we?
Power to the Pink Dollar: Hotels Rolling out the Rainbow Carpet
As per Community Marketing & Insights (CMI), gay men and lesbians have a travel spend that's a whopping 33% more than their heterosexual counterparts.2 Now, that's the 'pink dollar' hotels can't afford to ignore! Picture this: A chic hotel lobby proudly showcasing rainbow-colored decor items or a vibrant LGBTQ+ event right in the hotel bar. Sounds interesting? That's just a slice of the 'gay friendly' trend sweeping across U.S. hotels!
Dive into Diversity: Hotels with a Side of Culture
If exploring diverse cultures alongside comfortable accommodation is your travel mantra, savoring the local LGBTQ+ scene is a big plus. Be it hotels hosting weekly drag shows or concierges who handpick the best of the local gay scene, the U.S. hotel industry is embracing 'gay friendly' in style.
Safe Spaces: Turning the Spotlight on Security and Privacy
Safety first may be an age-old saying, but for a section of the LGBTQ+ traveler base, it's absolutely non-negotiable. With amenity preferences swinging towards security-focused features like 'safe zones' and 'privacy rooms', it's heartening to see hotels across the United States reshaping their services to make everyone feel at home and secure.
Before you plan a trip thinking it's all 'fun and games', be warned that being 'gay friendly' isn't easy. It requires continuous effort, constant evolution, and an unwavering commitment to diversity.3 Well, isn't that what travel is all about, surprises and evolving perspectives?
Privacy, Please: The Charm of Boutique Properties
For the romantics and privacy-seekers among you, take heart. The quaint charm of boutique gay-friendly hotels offers the best of both worlds – a cozy, intimate aura combined with tailor-made experiences. After all, who wouldn't love a wine-tasting session by a local LGBTQ+ group or a cooking class by a celebrity gay chef?
The Road Ahead: From 'Gay Friendly' to 'Everyone Friendly'
From more major hotel chains adopting inclusivity policies to independent properties upping their game to cater to the LGBTQ+ clientele better, the U.S. hotel industry is transforming, bringing everyone under one inclusive and accepting rainbow.4
So, pack your bags, reserves those rooms, and experience the United States as it gears up to become everyone's favorite friendly destination. After all, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness aren't just pretty words, but an American promise.5
'In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.' – Martin Luther King Jr.
Don't mind the grumbling of your suitcase, that's just wanderlust talking!
References
1. www.travelgay.com/lgbtq-travel-statistics/
2. www.communitymarketinginc.com/documents/temp/US-LGBTQ-Community-Travel-Survey-10th-Annual.pdf
3. www.harvardbusinessreview.org/article/making-your-business-lgbtq-friendly-isnt-just-good-it-decent
4. www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles/224231/How-hotels-can-be-LGBTQ-friendly
5. www.doi.gov/lgbtq/wall-of-honor/life-liberty-and-pursuit-of-happiness