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The Gay Market in Tourism
By Matt Skallerud, former IGLTA President and founder of Pink Banana Media
As the lesbian and gay travel market has grown and developed over the past 30 years, it’s been the travel industry which has embraced and been at the forefront in marketing to the gay and lesbian community.
The world of gay and lesbian travel is maturing, and now there are companies dedicated exclusively to gay tourism marketing and business associations solely for this segment of the industry.
- On the Business-to-Business (B2B) front, the first and foremost of these is the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), one of the largest and oldest gay business associations worldwide. With conventions and symposiums held each year throughout the world, IGLTA is one of the finest representations of a truly global trade association that mirrors the growth of the gay community worldwide.
- On the marketing front, my company Pink Banana Media and IGLTA cofounder Dee Farrell’s company (Peacock Tourism Marketing) have emerged to specifically help travel agencies, tourism bureaus, tour operators and resorts better reach and serve gay and lesbian travellers.
How to Reach the Gay Traveller
The travel industry is catering to gay and lesbian travelers more than ever. Still, it takes more than flying a rainbow flag to attract these travelers — and their dollars. And in today’s digital age, it takes more than advertising to get the attention of savvy surfers. If you’re brand/message is not yet interacting with these consumers/travelers, you better catch up!
Blogging is tool to engage people
