GayTravel has revealed the world’s most LGBTQ-friendly and inclusive travel firms and destinations, and the official winners of the 2021 Gay Travel Awards.
Described as the Oscars for LGBTQ+ travellers, The Gay Travel Awards support and promote LGBTQ+ travel and tourism by identifying and rewarding select destinations, properties, events, influencers and other organisations that “exemplify a spirit of inclusiveness and hospitality excellence”.
Barcelona and San Francisco scooped the awards for best LGBTQ+ city destinations, while Canada’s Banff & Lake Louise won the award for the ‘mountainous’ destination; and Aruba for best beach destination. Delta Airlines won the award for the airline category, while brands like the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott scooped several top hotel awards around the world. See full list below.
INSPIRING TRAVEL WITH INCLUSIVE SPIRIT
“This year has been another challenging one for travellers. With the pandemic ebbing and flowing across the globe and the uncertainty related to the latest Omicron variant, many are restricted from traveling or waiting for a safer time,” commented GayTravel Chief Visionary Officer Steve Rohrlick. “The Gay Travel Awards affords us all a moment to focus on the industry’s best as a prologue to getting back out there.”
“These distinguished winners lead by example and inspire other inclusive companies and brands,” he added. “Every year, The Gay Travel Awards offer something to look forward to while inspiring future travel.” Returning for its sophomore year, The Gay Travel Influencers category consists of creators who inspire travel with their inclusive spirit, a drive for diversity, and a desire to change the world for the better.
2021 GAY TRAVEL AWARD WINNERS
The 2021 Gay Travel Awards winners by category (in alphabetical order), include:
AIRLINE: Delta Airlines, Atlanta, Georgia
BED & BREAKFAST/ INN: Banff Ptarmigan Inn, Alberta, Canada
CAR RENTAL: Enterprise Rent-A-Car, St. Louis, Missouri
DESTINATION, BEACH: Aruba, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean
DESTINATION, CITY (US): San Francisco, California
DESTINATION, CITY (NON-US): Barcelona, Spain
DESTINATION, FAMILY: Oahu, Hawaii
DESTINATION, ISLAND: Puerto Rico, Caribbean
DESTINATION, MOUNTAIN: Banff & Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
DESTINATION, NATURE: Costa Rica, Central America
DESTINATION, WEDDING: Kauai, Hawaii
FAN-FAVOURITE: Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts
GAY TRAVEL INFLUENCERS: @michaelandmatt
HOTEL, BEACH: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
HOTEL, BEST VALUE: AC Hotel, Guadalajara, Mexico
HOTEL, BOUTIQUE: Moxy NYC Chelsea, New York
HOTEL, CASINO: San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Puerto Rico
HOTEL, CITY NON US: W Mexico City, Mexico
HOTEL, CITY US (TIE):
- Fairmont Austin, Texas
- San Francisco Marriott Marquis, California
HOTEL, FAMILY: Orlando World Center Marriott, Florida
HOTEL, GOLF: Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, Playa Herradura, Costa Rica
HOTEL, HONEYMOON: Saii Lagoon Maldives, Maldives Islands
HOTEL, LGBTQ+ SCENE: Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa, Florida
HOTEL, LUXURY: Zadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, San José del Cabo, Mexico
HOTEL, MOUNTAIN: W Aspen & The Sky Residences at W Aspen, Colorado
HOTEL, PET FRIENDLY: XV Beacon Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
HOTEL, SPA & WELLNESS: Carneros Resort and Spa, Napa, California
HOTEL, TROPICAL HIDEAWAY: The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands
HOTEL, WEDDING: W Punta de Mita, Mexico
LODGE/RANCH: Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, California
PRIDE (NON US): Pride Amsterdam, Netherlands
PRIDE (US): Pride Northwest, Portland, Oregon
TOUR OPERATOR: Voyemo, Worldwide
LAST YEAR’S WINNERS
GayTravel connects the LGBTQ+ community with gay-friendly destinations, hotels, cruises, tours, events, entertainment, attractions, clubs, and restaurants worldwide. Their mission is to provide the community with safe, welcoming, and curated recommendations for the LGBTQ+ community.
You can check out last year’s winners here.