As more and more destinations around the world emerge as gay-friendly, one thing is clear: the gay community is not only one of the most avid groups of travelers, but they’re also among the savviest and most adventurous. Community Marketing’s 11th Annual LGBT Travel Survey revealed that 71 percent of gay U.S. citizens hold a valid passport compared to only 24 to 30 percent of all adult U.S. citizens, and almost half of those surveyed used their passport to travel last year.

I was able to catch up with Tom Nibbio with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association to get his thoughts on what’s hot in gay travel.

TWS: Can you name a few can't-go-wrong destinations for gay and lesbian travelers?

Nibbio: In North America, I would recommend Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Palm Springs and Provincetown, which IGLTA labels as its Top 4 Gay Destinations. These “resort towns” are truly gay with numerous gay-owned resorts and businesses. They include a major portion of their marketing budgets focusing on gay travelers.

Other cities that IGLTA labels as Destinations Where Gays Love to Travel are:

  • Chicago

  • Dallas
  • Hawaii
  • Las Vegas
  • LA/West Hollywood
  • Miami/South Beach
  • Montreal
  • New York City
  • Orlando
  • Philadelphia
  • Portland
  • Puerto Vallarta
  • San Francisco & Sonoma County
  • Seattle
  • Toronto
  • Vancouver
  • Washington DC

TWS: What are some up-and-coming gay-friendly destinations that travelers may not know about?

Nibbio: Curacao in the southern Caribbean, Antwerp, Belgium and Viareggio, Italy along the Tuscan Coast and Prague, Czech Republic are four hot new items that travelers need to check out!

TWS: What should travelers look for in a gay and lesbian resort or vacation destination?

Nibbio: Anyone can hang a rainbow flag by their door, but it takes a truly devoted business or destination to give back to the community. First of all, the resort or destination needs to give back to the gay community by spending advertising and marketing dollars in major publications such as Passport Magazine, Instinct Magazine, Out Traveler Magazine, Logo TV and here! TV in addition to mainstream publications and media. Also, they should be displaying their IGLTA membership logo to show that they have joined the worlds’ only travel association for gay and lesbian businesses. IGLTA has accreditation and educational programs for these various businesses and destinations.

TWS: Any tips on researching things to do once you decide on a destination?

Nibbio: I truly feel that your gay or gay-friendly travel agent is the best and most experienced source for things to do when you travel to specific destinations. Always check out the calendar of events on IGLTA.org for activities and events worldwide. Also check calendars listed in various other media, publications and websites, i.e. Planet Out FunMaps.com and Gay.com. Sometimes websites such as Travelocity may even list gay events, advertisers and specials pertaining to them. GayDays.com is also very helpful.

TWS: Are there any travel trends that we should know about?

Nibbio: European River Cruises (groups or charters with various gay-owned companies) and small luxury cruises (groups or charters) also with gay-owned tour operators. They offer the safe, friendly atmosphere, but not the big circuit party environment. Adventure travel is also hot. Zoom Vacations, Out in Alaska and also Alyson Adventures are three of many great gay-owned tour operators who offer vacations for those who have done the ordinary.

TWS: Is there a different travel trend between the gay traveler vs. the lesbian traveler?

Nibbio: In general, gay men go on more vacations and spend more per year than lesbians. Family, children and other factors all come into play with these statistics. Lesbians also have fewer choices then the men. There are very few female only resorts whereas the men have over 30 male only resorts in towns like Fort Lauderdale and Palm Springs. Provincetown can host both sexes or men only at their wonderful guesthouses and resorts.