Top Destinations for LGBT Travel: Move Over New York and Berlin

Move over New York, London and Berlin, there are some new, and slightly unexpected, rising stars on the LGBT travel scene.

A recently released list of 2016’s emerging LGBT destinations, from Gogobot, reveals that many traditionally second-tier cities are becoming increasingly popular.

Taking the top spot on this year’s list is Atlanta, followed by Minneapolis, Boston and Austin. Also among the top ranked cities are Dallas, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Toronto and Dubai (more on that later). Tampa, Fla. rounds out the 2016 LGBT Rising Stars list, which is developed based on data from Gogobot’s more than 10 million travelers.

“I’ve gone to all of these cities,” says Harold Smith-Franzen, an LGBT tribe member on Gogobot. “As I look at this list, there is definitely a contrast with previous years. What you see here now is a lot of second-tier cities, which is different…People have really started to embrace local, versus needing to go to a foreign destination all the time.”

Some of the rising stars on the list may also be attributed to the fact that cities are increasingly marketing specifically to the LGBT community, letting them know that they are welcomed and wanted.  All of which stands in stark contrast to the recent news from North Carolina, which passed a Republican-backed law curtailing protections for LGBT people and limiting public bathroom access for transgender individuals.

Cities such as Atlanta, Dallas, and Minneapolis are just a few examples of destinations engaged in campaigns designed to attract LGBT travelers, says Tanya Churchmuch, past chair of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.

“What we’ve seen over the years, especially with tier two cities, is that they are recognizing the value of the LGBT tourist dollar, so they are becoming more active with their marketing,” says Churchmuch. “Austin is for sure growing right now with its attractions for LGBT travelers. But Dallas and Houston for years have worked to show themselves to the LGBT community, even when people wouldn’t consider Texas a state that is super LGBT welcoming.”

It’s also important to note that while Dubai managed to earn the number nine slot on the list, Gogobot subsequently removed the city, pointing to concerns about homosexuality being illegal there.

Krista Canfield, Gogobot’s Getaway Expert, said Gogobot was surprised to see data showing an increase in LGBT travel to the Middle East destination.

“LGBT travelers, like many travelers, clearly want to see and experience the world in places where traditions and cultures are different from their own,” said Canfield. “As a company, we can’t in good conscience recommend Dubai as a great destination for LGBT travelers, since the punishment for homosexuality in Dubai can include prison, fines, deportation and even the death penalty.”

In spite of those sorts of punishments, Smith-Franzen chose Dubai, over all other destinations in the world, as the location for his honeymoon.

Puzzling as that may seem, the 44-year-old New York City resident described the trip as one of his most outstanding travel experiences to date.

“I was nervous before I went, especially being on a honeymoon,” he says. “But as long as you’re not overt, whether you’re hetero or homo, it’s fine. We were accepted at hotels, we shared a bed, we behaved as we normally would.”

Yes, but the question remains, why Dubai, right?

As Smith-Franzen explains, it’s a destination that has a great deal to offer, no matter who you are.

There’s indulgent, one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, fine dining, the desert and the opportunity to go glamping, as well as the chance to experience traditional Middle Eastern culture.

¿

“I think it’s an interesting city. People write it off as a faux Las Vegas experience, but it has surged in popularity among my friends,” continues Smith-Franzen, who travels internationally once or twice each month and has visited 117 countries. “Even though you don’t have LGBT bars and specific nightlife venues, you do have LGBT-friendly parties and gatherings behind the scenes.”

But he also offers another layer of explanation, one far less expected, and  exposing a fascinating dichotomy.

Those in the gay community have historically felt like outsiders or perhaps unwanted, even in the United States, Smith-Franzen points out. And in the current political climate, Muslims often experience the same sorts of feelings. Visiting destinations like Dubai, provide an opportunity to learn about another community that has experienced similar rejection or hostility.

“In some senses, there’s this interest in exploring and engaging this other group that is also viewed as outsiders,” he says.

On the other end of the spectrum is Toronto, Canada – a city increasingly regarded by many as a global leader in LGBT issues.