Let’s face it, travel in 2020 was not what we expected. The travel industry hasn’t seen numbers that low in decades. While the general public has mixed emotions about traveling in 2021, many in the LGBTQ community are ready to take-off.
This is not the first time our community will have been the knight in shining armor for the travel industry. Each time there has been a dip in travel, our community is one of the first to resume vacation plans. Our thirst for new experiences drives us to explore more of the world than many of our straight counterparts. When you add that we can travel more often, we see why we are the perfect community to save the day.
Travelers who are already back out into the world have been welcomed with open arms by airlines, hotels, and restaurants. Capacities have been reduced to help ensure social distancing is possible throughout the properties. With fewer travelers heading out, this effect is even more pronounced.
If you’re itching to get out and travel this winter, there are places across the US, the Caribbean, and Mexico that are ready to welcome you. Some of my favorite destinations have the right balance of being safe while also allowing travelers the flexibility to enjoy themselves. You can head to Puerto Rico for time on the beach, hiking through the mountains, or diving in for an afternoon of snorkeling. Key West is welcoming travelers to its beaches and adult-only resorts. Mexico’s coastal cities are open and allow for easy transit between the US and their cities.
Looking beyond the winter months, we are hopeful that cruisers will see a limited return to ships sailing by this summer and something more normal by this fall. I’m personally super excited to see Virgin Voyages finally start to stretch their sea legs with the Scarlet Lady as she sails out of Miami to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
Last year, pride festivals were largely put-on hold or moved to the virtual world. Pride festivals are one of the biggest reasons the LGBTQ community consistently travels, with many of us heading out to at least one or two festivals each year. As the vaccine starts to show its effectiveness, I expect to see festivals starting to be rescheduled for this year. The festivals in 2021 will be bigger than ever as we work out our collective pent-up energy.
Finally, I’m excited to see that Sandals Resorts will be opening its first adult-only all-inclusive resort on Curaçao. This is the first time the brand has operated on an island that openly welcomes members of the LGBTQ community. The new resort will be over 3,000 acres, with 350 rooms, two marinas, and a world-class 18-hole golf course.
I look forward to watching the progress as the resort is remodeled by Sandals this year. I’ll be following up with progress updates as they happen.
The New Year is just beginning, and the promise of a better year is more vital than ever before. Whether you’re looking to escape the cold this winter or plan a family get-together for later in the year, I’m here to take care of all the hard parts. Schedule a free consultation with me to start planning your next getaway.
Rainbow Getaways is a full-service travel concierge that specializes in travel for the LGBTQ community and our allies. We work with travel partners worldwide to ensure that all our travelers are welcomed and create great memories year after year. Each trip is meticulously planned to ensure you have a fabulous time. Schedule your free consultation today.
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