A recent study from Orbitz shows 2019 Gay Pride travel trends, a long proponent of LGBTQ+ travel and the first online travel company to launch a microsite dedicated to gay and lesbian travel more than a decade ago, hotel searches for 2019 Pride weekends have already increased by more than double digits when compared to 2018, along with a significant increase in flight searches and Pride package considerations. “More travelers than ever before will be celebrating love and equality in some of the most gay-friendly cities across the country this year,” said Carey Malloy, Director of Brand Marketing for Orbitz Brand. “With this being a milestone year for Pride, our message to travelers is now is the time to plan your trip while accommodations are in high demand.”
Highlights from Orbitz’s Pride-Friendly Travel Survey:
- Social media (82 percent) and feedback from friends, family and peers (69 percent) are the main sources from which LGBTQ travelers are most likely to hear about Pride events
- Nearly three in four (74 percent) Pride travelers say knowing whether or not a place is LGBTQ+ friendly impacts their decision to travel there
- 67 percent of LGBTQ travelers say the experience is the most important consideration when traveling for Pride; while 17 percent say its location and 10 percent are most cognizant of price
- LGBTQ travelers are looking for the best Pride discounts and deals; nearly one in three (30 percent) are looking to spend less than $100 on travel and accommodations
- Hotels (57 percent) and ride or car shares (54 percent) are the travel accommodations most likely to be booked for 2019 Pride events
- 80 percent of LGBTQ travelers would forgo their cell phone during Pride in exchange for free tickets, meals and hotel accommodations for the weekend
- From their experience, the most Pride-friendly cities LGBTQ travelers have visited include San Francisco (13 percent), New York City (11 percent) and Chicago (10 percent)
- Nearly half of LGBTQ travelers (47 percent) will travel between five and 50 miles for a Pride event in 2019, and 42 percent will travel more than 50 miles
- Pride travelers are split on where to sit; more than half (53 percent) would rather get front row at the Pride parade while 47 percent would rather travel first class for Pride
- According to LGBTQ travelers, the top U.S. destinations for celebrating Pride include Boston, Miami, San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles
- Approximately 79 percent of Pride travelers are planning to attend this year’s events with a group, with most wanting to attend with their best friend (81 percent)
You Can’t Put a Price on Pride
A shocking 80 percent of LGBTQ travelers said they would sacrifice their cell phone and break the “pics or it didn’t happen” rule of Instagram during Pride celebrations in exchange for free parade tickets, meals and hotel accommodations for the weekend. Additionally, while one-in-three travelers (30 percent) say they are looking to spend less than $100 on Pride travel and accommodations, 67 percent of Orbitz’s respondents claim experience is the most important consideration when traveling for Pride.
Pride Travelers are OUT in the World
From east to west, LGBTQ travelers have visited a range of gay-friendly cities throughout the United States, with San Francisco (13 percent), New York (11 percent) and Chicago (10 percent) ranking as the top three destinations based on a recent survey by Orbitz. Nearly half of respondents confirmed they plan to travel between five and 50 miles for a Pride event in 2019, and 42 percent plan to travel more than 50 miles. Three in four (74 percent) of LGBTQ travelers also said that knowing whether a destination is Pride-friendly impacts their decision on where to travel.
To spotlight 2019 Pride celebrations, Orbitz will be changing its logo to the rainbow “O” for the month of June. LGBTQ travelers and supporters are encouraged to follow Orbitz on Instagram (@Orbitz) to check out photos, videos and live moments from the Anchorage Pride group’s first-time experience at Miami Beach Pride. To book your hotel and LGBTQ-friendly travel accommodations for 2019 Pride, visit www.Orbitz.com today. Read the full survey here.
