Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Gay Tourism shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Gay Tourism offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Gay Tourism at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Gay Tourism? Wrong! If the Gay Tourism is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Gay Tourism then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Gay Tourism? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Gay Tourism and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Gay Tourism wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Gay Tourism then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Gay Tourism site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Gay Tourism, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Gay Tourism, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
Gay tourism or
LGBT tourism is a form of niche tourism marketed to homosexuality people who are open about their sexual orientation and who wish to travel to gay travel destinations in order to participate to some extent in the gay life of the destination area. As an industry it has some substantial maturity, and includes such specialists as
travel agents, tour companies, cruise lines and travel advertising and promotions companies who market these destinations to the
gay community.
Major companies in the travel industry have become aware of the substantial money (also known as "pink money") generated by this marketing niche, and have made it a point to align themselves with the gay community and gay tourism campaigns. According to Tourism Intelligence International (2000), some 10% of international tourists were gay or lesbians, accounting for more than 70 million arrivals worldwide. This important market segment is expected to continue to grow as a result of a change in world-wide attitudes to homosexuality. The gay and lesbian segment is estimated as a $55 billion annual market.
Outside those companies, practitioners of LGBT tourism are being offered other tools, such as LGBT hospitality networks, i.e. networks of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals or transgendered individuals who offer each other the gift of short term hospitality during their travels. Also available are gay expatriates clubs, which also function to give information and resources to practitioners travelling in their cities.
Gay travel destinations
Gay travel destinations are popular among practitioners of gay tourism because they usually have permissive or liberal attitudes towards gays, feature a prominent gay infrastructure (bars, businesses, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, entertainment, media, organisations, etc.), the opportunity to socialize with other gays, and the feeling that one can relax safely among other gay people.
Gay travel destinations are often large cities, although not exclusively, and often coincide with the existence of gay village. These municipalities and their tourism bureaus often work actively to develop their reputations as places for gays to travel to, commonly by aligning themselves to local gay organisations. Travel analysts state that the existence of a core gay friendly population is often the primary catalyst for the development of a gay-friendly tourist destination.
Gay tourism might also coincide with special gay events such as annual
gay pride parades, gay neighborhood festivals and such
gay community gatherings as :Category:LGBT musical groups festivals and concerts,
gay square dance conventions, gay sports meets such as Gay Games, World Outgames or
Eurogames (LGBT sporting event) and conferences of national and international gay organisations. Gay tourism blossoms during these peak periods.
The US market is regarded as being the most important source of LGBT tourism practitioners, followed by the European market as the next most important.
Gay tourism practitioners spend $64 billion a year on gay travel, according to Community Marketing Inc. The adult GLBT community has a total economic spending power of more than $600 billion per year, according to Wietck Combs. Philadelphia and Community Marketing found that for every one dollar invested in gay tourism marketing, $153 was returned in direct economic spending in shops, hotels, restaurants and attractions. Since 2002, there has been a historic rise in gay tourism marketing. Destinations such as Philadelphia, Dallas and Ft. Lauderdale have engaged in gay tourism campaigns.
The gay cruise industry is experiencing a significant growth period. Community Marketing Inc. found in research studies that gay business travelers are 30% more likely to convert to a leisure visitor.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the first destination in the world to create and air a television commercial specifically geared towards practitioners of gay tourism. 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.
Resources by LGBT expatriates groups abroad
Social groups for resident and visiting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender expatriates and friends exist all over the world. They usually are a very good resource for practitioners of LGBT touristm and can for instance provide lists of LGBT meeting places or even invite tourists who happen to be in the city to various events.
Such groups usually meet on one particular day and can help practitioners to have more information about the region, or simply give them the occasion to meet LGBT expatriates - sometimes of their own country - in a relaxed atmosphere.
References
See also
Gay tourism or
LGBT tourism is a form of niche tourism marketed to homosexuality people who are open about their sexual orientation and who wish to travel to gay travel destinations in order to participate to some extent in the gay life of the destination area. As an industry it has some substantial maturity, and includes such specialists as
travel agents, tour companies, cruise lines and travel advertising and promotions companies who market these destinations to the
gay community.
Major companies in the travel industry have become aware of the substantial money (also known as "pink money") generated by this marketing niche, and have made it a point to align themselves with the
gay community and gay tourism campaigns. According to Tourism Intelligence International (2000), some 10% of international tourists were gay or lesbians, accounting for more than 70 million arrivals worldwide. This important market segment is expected to continue to grow as a result of a change in world-wide attitudes to homosexuality. The gay and lesbian segment is estimated as a $55 billion annual market.
Outside those companies, practitioners of LGBT tourism are being offered other tools, such as LGBT hospitality networks, i.e. networks of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals or transgendered individuals who offer each other the gift of short term hospitality during their travels. Also available are gay expatriates clubs, which also function to give information and resources to practitioners travelling in their cities.
Gay travel destinations
Gay travel destinations are popular among practitioners of gay tourism because they usually have permissive or liberal attitudes towards gays, feature a prominent gay infrastructure (bars, businesses, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, entertainment, media, organisations, etc.), the opportunity to socialize with other gays, and the feeling that one can relax safely among other gay people.
Gay travel destinations are often large cities, although not exclusively, and often coincide with the existence of gay village. These municipalities and their tourism bureaus often work actively to develop their reputations as places for gays to travel to, commonly by aligning themselves to local gay organisations. Travel analysts state that the existence of a core gay friendly population is often the primary catalyst for the development of a gay-friendly tourist destination.
Gay tourism might also coincide with special gay events such as annual gay pride parades, gay neighborhood festivals and such gay community gatherings as
:Category:LGBT musical groups festivals and concerts, gay square dance conventions, gay sports meets such as Gay Games,
World Outgames or Eurogames (LGBT sporting event) and conferences of national and international gay organisations. Gay tourism blossoms during these peak periods.
The US market is regarded as being the most important source of LGBT tourism practitioners, followed by the European market as the next most important.
Gay tourism practitioners spend $64 billion a year on gay travel, according to Community Marketing Inc. The adult GLBT community has a total economic spending power of more than $600 billion per year, according to Wietck Combs. Philadelphia and Community Marketing found that for every one dollar invested in gay tourism marketing, $153 was returned in direct economic spending in shops, hotels, restaurants and attractions. Since 2002, there has been a historic rise in gay tourism marketing. Destinations such as Philadelphia, Dallas and Ft. Lauderdale have engaged in gay tourism campaigns.
The gay cruise industry is experiencing a significant growth period. Community Marketing Inc. found in research studies that gay business travelers are 30% more likely to convert to a leisure visitor.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the first destination in the world to create and air a television commercial specifically geared towards practitioners of gay tourism. 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.
Resources by LGBT expatriates groups abroad
Social groups for resident and visiting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender expatriates and friends exist all over the world. They usually are a very good resource for practitioners of LGBT touristm and can for instance provide lists of LGBT meeting places or even invite tourists who happen to be in the city to various events.
Such groups usually meet on one particular day and can help practitioners to have more information about the region, or simply give them the occasion to meet LGBT expatriates - sometimes of their own country - in a relaxed atmosphere.
References
See also
