Gay tourism, the new gold mine of the travel sector

The LG community (Lesbian, Gay) has become the new gold mine for the tourist sector. According to a study realized by Grupo Shangay, there are approximately three million gays who spend around 3,300 million euros a year just on travelling, about 1,100 euros per person. This group enjoys an important economic potential and it can afford to travel a lot: 20% spend more than 1,500 Euros in trips per year.

The high income of this community, which is double the average income – with salaries exceeding 60,000 euros per year, allows them to travel six times a year. Many experts suggest that homosexual couples have more money to spend, because both have their own salary and they do not have children. This sector spends its money on services such as bars and nightclubs, beauty, restaurants, fashion, Spa, health and of course, tourism.

Taking these numbers in consideration, it is not strange that the tourism industry considers the gay community one of its major market segments and that offers them a wide range of new and varied products.

Many Spanish cities are considered gay paradises. Places such as Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Benidorm, Torremolinos, Sitges and specially Chueca, in Madrid are the favourite gay destinations.

For example, Madrid is launching a special program to promote this kind of tourism.

Chueca district is the largest recipient of gay tourists in Spain. It has become a fashionable area among gay and straight communities, who come to this neighbourhood looking for a tolerant and open mind atmosphere. A clear example of this neighbourhood expansion is the arrival  of big brands that want to establish in the area. During the day, you can walk and visit the gay or gay friendly locals that extend across its beautiful streets.

At night, Chueca becomes one of Madrid’s most fun and fashionable areas. Whatever your nightlife preferences are, here you will find a place to suit you because the area has all kinds of different venues and locals.

Bars are open until the early hours of the morning. And for the real party people there are many options to continue the nightlife once the sun has come up. For the others its time to go back to our apartments in Madrid in order to recharge our batteries for the following day or night

Tags: apartments madrid, chueca, gay community madrid, madrid, madrid apartments