Planning exclusively gay and lesbian vacations can be trickier than it seems. You want to make sure the travel agency you select has solid experience both with travel in general and with gay and lesbian issues in particular.
There are really two types of gay and lesbian travel agencies: those owned by members of the GBLT community that specialize in serving the GBLT community exclusively and those travel agencies that provide more generalized services but advertise themselves as specialists in gay and lesbian travel needs. Choosing which agency is right for you depends on several factors.
First, consider the type of trip you are looking to take. Will you be traveling domestically or internationally? Will you be traveling alone, with a partner or as part of a group?
Then consider what you are looking for from your trip. Are you traveling to a specifically gay destination or considering a gay and lesbian cruise? Are your tourism interests more generalized so that you just want to be sure of receiving a warm welcome at hotels and restaurants? While traveling, will it be important for you to patronize gay- and lesbian-owned businesses?
The answers to these questions will help you narrow down your search. If you are traveling abroad, it is important that you use a travel agency that is experienced with your destination to advise you on local law, custom and safety. Gays and lesbians receive very different receptions around the world. Similarly, if it is important to you to patronize gay- and lesbian-owned businesses while traveling, you'll probably have better luck with an agency that is gay-owned and operated.
If you do decide to choose a travel agency that doesn't exclusively serve the gay and lesbian community, there are some things you should consider. Does the agency actively promote its services to the gay and lesbian community? More importantly, are its materials aimed at all clients, regardless of sexual orientation, in both words and images? Many companies say they serve the gay and lesbian community without being actively and openly supportive of the community. It's important to choose a travel agency that can deliver on its promises.
When meeting with a potential gay and lesbian travel agency for the first time, it's also important for you to find out if there are any particular travel companies it is affiliated with. You probably don't want a travel agent who will be pitching particular vacation ideas or plans because the agency has a close tie to a given hotel chain, cruise line or destination.
Of course, before you can ask these questions, you need to find travel agencies to consider. There are several resources for this. First, check your local gay and lesbian newspaper - most large communities have free weekly papers featuring advertisements from local vendors. Next, visit your local gay and lesbian community center. Many have an area where local businesses that serve the gay and lesbian community can leave fliers or brochures. Other possible sources for recommendations include online recommendation sites such as Yelp, search engines such as Google and, of course, friends and relatives. The Web site of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association also is a helpful resource.
As you select your gay and lesbian travel agency, you will want to consider if you are looking for a one-time business transaction, or if you're looking for a travel agent with whom you can establish a long-term relationship. Talk to them both about the trip you are interested in taking now and the trips you may be interested in taking in the future. If you are considering marriage or civil partnership soon, be sure to talk to them about their experience with honeymoon planning.
While travel agencies have been used less frequently since the advent of online tools for booking flights and hotel rooms, ultimately a gay and lesbian travel agency provides understanding of your travel needs and an interface between you and your vacation destination. This can be extremely useful when traveling to places you are unfamiliar with or arranging complex itineraries. Travel agents should ultimately worry so that you don't have to.
Additionally, a gay and lesbian travel agency may be able to point you toward vacation ideas specifically for the gay and lesbian market. Finding the right relationship with a gay and lesbian travel agency can open the world to you in new and exciting ways.
 | When planning gay and lesbian travel, you'll have a hard time choosing from all the options. Here's how to choose a destination that suits your needs. |
Despite the increase of travelers creating their own itineraries and booking their own hotel, airline and tours, travel agencies are still a popular choice, especially for complicated excursions. However, there's another reason that a travel agency is important and that's for specialized travel, such as a gay or lesbian vaction. You can book this type of travel on your own, but often working with a professional will give you the exact gay and lesbian vacation experience that you're looking for. |
|&&| These tips for gay and lesbian travel address lesbian vacations and how to find a gay and lesbian vacation travel agent. |
