LGBTQIA + travelers . The company collaborates with local LGBTQIA + -friendly businesses , accommodations and organizations . Employees go through training and practice policies to ensure LGBTQIA + travelers feel welcome and safe . Out Adventures regularly fundraises for local causes ; for every guest registered for a scheduled group tour , the company donates $ 50 to Rainbow Railroad to help resettle LGBTQIA + refugees .
• Perez reviews Equaldex to vet countries for their safety and visits destinations with her partner to see what the experience is like before planning group tours . Tours planned consist of 15 to 100 women-loving-women travelers to Puerto Vallarta , Mexico ; Manuel Antonio , Costa Rica ; and Mykonos , Greece . “ I ’ m queer and understand the needs of our travelers , which include different types of LGBTQIA + women — butch , trans , femme , non-binary , etc .,” she said .
• HE Travel has been leading group trips for gay men for four decades . The immersive experiences celebrate local LGBTQIA + cultures by supporting LGBTQIA + -owned or LGBTQIA + -friendly establishments to offer tour guests genuine cultural exchanges . HE Travel is mindful of local laws and cultural sensitivities to ensure participants are safe and comfortable .
• EveryQueer , founded by 2019 Contiki LGBTQIA + global ambassador Meg Ten Eyck , offers LGBTQIA + group trips immersed in local culture and hosted by LGBTQIA + influencers — including an upcoming trip to Mexico . “ Most group tours are targeted at an older demographic and aren ’ t focused on younger queer women ,” said Ten Eyck . She explained that EveryQueer provides professional development training to ensure partners , including hotels and tour guides , are aware of best practices for LGBTQIA + guests .
THERE ARE MANY NICHE LGBTQIA + GROUP TOURS TO EXPLORE AS WELL , SUCH AS :
• Oscar Wilde Tours ’ LGBTQIA + history and art-themed tours
• For gay male travelers , Outstanding Travel organizes trips around the MENA region
• Detours focuses on laid-back , relaxing group tours
• Source Journeys offers luxury group tours
• Dive N Ride Adventures hosts scuba diving and motorcycle tours for the LGBTQIA + community . Lisa Malachowsky , a lesbian and founder of Dive N Ride , leads every tour and only takes groups to destinations that she ’ s previously visited and felt safe .
LGBTQIA + WALKING GROUP TOURS If your LGBTQIA + client isn ’ t joining a multi-day group tour , you can still find tours for them to join around the world .
• Globally , Viator offers hundreds of LGBTQIA + history and sightseeing tours , including in Belfast , Melbourne and Berlin .
• In Israel , Rainbow Tour operates queer-friendly tours around Tel Aviv .
• In Pennsylvania , Beyond the Bell Tours ’ Philly Gayborhood and LGBTQ History Walking Tour visits the gayborhood and the nation ’ s self-proclaimed longest continuously operating LGBTQIA + -focused bookstore , Giovanni ’ s Room .
• ExperienceFirst specializes in walking tours around the world with guides who are experts in the tour subject matter . Its Ul-
COURTESY OF OUT ADVENTURES
LGBTQIA + GROUP TOUR OPERATORS WHO WORK WITH TRAVEL ADVISORS
Your go-to operators for group trip planning .
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Contiki works with travel agents through the TTC Travel Agent Portal .
High End Journeys in Egypt was recommended by Perez , as they made her guests feel safe in what she says would normally be a taboo country for queer women to visit .
Gaya Bali Travel , an LGBTQIA + -owned tour company , was also recommended by Perez .
Pride Tours Chile “ They ’ re super knowledgeable about the queer community ,” said Roth .
An Out Adventures Kilimanjaro climbing journey .
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“ Safety is their number one priority , and they know how to have fun .”
Argentina-based , queer-owned Lunfarda Travel , recommended by Ten Eyck .
Zoom Vacations “ The operator has gained recognition within the LGBTQIA + travel community for expertise , focus on inclusivity , positive customer feedback and commitment to providing safe and enjoyable experiences for LGBTQIA + travelers ,” Jacobs said .
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