The gay tourism market is a large, growing and desirable one. Many operators in the tourism industry have worked out this is a niche market that it is possible to cater for and often the travelers have a larger disposable income, making them more profitable.

This interest in the gay market by the general travel providers, plus the increase in promotions by city and country tourist boards has lent some degree of validation to gay tourists as a valid market. Hotels, airlines and other tour operators have jumped on the gay bandwagon also.

As a result the gay tourism market is moving away from just focussing on major parades or events and traditionally popular gay destinations to exploring more remote destinations or gay perspectives on traditional destinations. This has been able to happen because gay travelers are feeling more confident in themselves and how the world sees them and the greater acceptance by the wider population.

Many gay travelers themselves are divided as to whether they want gay or non-gay focus groups when traveling. For some gay travel is less desirable because they want to get away from a predominantly gay life and have a change while away traveling. This is particularly so if that is what they experience all day every day. For some specialist gay tours or accommodation can sometimes be more expensive than mainstream options.

Others in the gay travel market really enjoy the security of being with people who embrace a similar lifestyle choice. This gives them the chance to make new friends or if they are looking for love a chance of romance. This comfort factor is one of the reasons gay tourism continues to increase at a healthy rate.

The gay tourism market is in an evolutionary stage, it is not in it’s infancy but it is developing at an outstanding rate.