Just like after 9/11, gays and lesbians have not stopped traveling. Interestingly, this travel segment is so resilient that neither terrorism nor a financial crisis can stop them from traveling. So, what is motivating gay and lesbian travel in a year when all market segments are down?

First, gay and lesbian travelers have the means and wherewithal to travel. As a group, they have a favorable buying power as compared to other minority groups. (Buying power represents the amount of money after taxes and obligations on things such as home mortgages, rent, transportation expenses, food, entertainment and travel). In 2009, it is estimated that the buyer power of U.S. gays and lesbians is $800 billion. Additionally, they also tend to have fewer children in the household as compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Less than 20% of gay and lesbians report raising children (source: Community Marketing Inc.) Therefore, they are not confined by school schedules and have a greater discretion to spend money on travel.

Gays and lesbians also have an insatiable desire to explore this world in search of their interests, passions and places where they can meet other gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people like themselves. They often set their ...