GayTravel.com has named the recipients of its annual Gay Travel Awards for the past year, with 39 inclusive LGBTQ+ winners selected from hundreds of finalists, in categories across the industry spectrum, including hotels, destinations and Pride events.
The Gay Travel Awards – the self-proclaimed Oscars for LGBTQ+ travellers – support and promote LGBTQ+ travel and tourism by identifying and rewarding select destinations, properties, events, influencers, and other organizations that exemplify “a spirit of inclusiveness and hospitality excellence.”
“These distinguished winners lead by example and inspire other inclusive companies and brands,” states organizers.
Returning for its third year, “The Gay Travel Influencers” categories consist of creators (couples and solo travellers) who “inspire travel with their inclusive spirit, a drive for diversity, and a desire to change the world for the better.”
2022 winners
Airline: Virgin Atlantic Airways
Car rental: Hertz
Tour operator: Out Adventures
Destinations
• Beach: Cancun
• City (non-US): Mexico City
• City (US): San Francisco
• Family: Orlando
• Island: Cozumel
• Mountain: Banff & Lake Louise
• Nature: Costa Rica
• Wedding: Punta Mita, Mexico
Hotels
• All-inclusive: The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa, Costa Rica
• Beach: The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico
• Best Value: Courtyard Aruba Resort, Aruba
• Boutique (tie): Fairlane Hotel, Nashville; Moxy NYC Chelsea, NY
• Casino: Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
• City (Non-US): W Mexico City
• City (US): Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
• Family: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, USVI
• Fan-favourite: The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union
• Golf: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa, Carlsbad, Ca.
• Historical: Hotel Peter & Paul, New Orleans
• Honeymoon: The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Mexico
• Inn: Station House Inn, Lake Tahoe, Ca.
• LGBTQ+ Scene: INNSIDE New York NoMad, NY
• Lodge/Ranch: The Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stowe, VT
• Luxury: Rosewood Mayakoba, Mexico
• Mountain: Hidden Ridge Resort, Banff
• Pet Friendly: Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
• Spa & Wellness: Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, Vero Beach, Fla.
• Tropical Hideaway: W Maldives
• Wedding: Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort, Hawaii
Events
• Pride (Non-US): Amsterdam
• Pride (US): San Francisco
• Gay Ski Week: Winter Rendezvous, Stowe, VT
Influencers
• Couples: Lez See The World, @lezseetheworld
• Solo: Zoe Stoller,@zoestoller
“Once again, (2022 was) a challenging one for travellers,” says GayTravel Founder Steve Rohrlick. “With the pandemic ebbing and flowing across the globe and the uncertainty related to the latest variants, many (were) restricted from travelling or waiting for a safer time. The Gay Travel Awards affords us all a moment to focus on the industry’s best as a prologue to getting back out there.”