Virginia Tourism Corp. begins effort to attract LGBT travelers

Published September 23, 2016 by Robert Powell, III

Virginia Tourism Corp. (VTC) has begun a marketing effort aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender visitors.

VTC said LGBT travelers are an important market for tourism, making up nearly 10 percent of the U.S. market. LGBT travelers spend an estimated $57 billion in the U.S. annually

The program includes a new landing page for LGBT travelers on the state tourism website and Virginia is for Lovers PRIDE merchandise.

The project is the result of recommendations by Gov. Terry McAuliffe's LGBT Tourism Task Force.

The group, which included 21 people, met in 2015. The task force was asked to come up with ideas that would encourage LGBT travelers to visit Virginia.

LGBT travelers can visit www.virginia.org/LGBT for listings of lodging, restaurants, retail stores, and other attractions that have designated themselves as LGBT-friendly.

The landing page also features places for LGBT couples to get married or honeymoon, as well as family-friendly destinations.

VTC has also created an LGBT Tourism Resource Guide for the travel and tourism industry in Virginia.

Robert Powell