According to marketing information on gay and lesbian consumers, clients ranging from international tourism authorities to large hotel chains are anxious to lure the so-called pink dollar. The major airlines are puling out all the stops to win the hearts and bookings of gay men and lesbians, estimated to represent 6 per cent of Australia's population. Qantas is the main sponsor of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Victoria's Midsumma Festival while Anset throws its sponsorship dollars at Adelaide's gay Feast festival.

Estimated gay average income figures collated by Significant Others explain why this market is coveted: a gay male earns on average A$48,481, While the lesbian figure is A$43,342 (according to a November 1998 survey) compared to the mainstream average of A$38,397 for men and and A$34,050 for women (according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' August 1998 figures). The gay leisure travel market within Australia is estimated to be worth a staggering A$3 billion.


Where are they going?

Gay and lesbian travelers took over 162 million trips last year. While 127 million were for business, 35 million trips were vacations. These consumers are seeking gay and gay-friendly places to spend their travel dollars.

Travel agent members of IGLTA are currently writing over $1 billion in airline tickets annually and accommodation members book more than $35 million in annual business.

source: International Gay and Lesbian travel Association


Top Gay Resort Destinations

Traditionally Gay Resorts
Key West, Florida
So tranquil, even type "A" personalities can relax here. There are many beautifully-appointed gay inns to choose from, wonderful restaurants and several big gay events each year, such as the Fantasy Fest and Women Fest. An enduring memory for most: Sunday brunch, with mimosa cocktails, at poolside, followed by afternoon tea dance.

Mykonos
More picturesque than Ibiza --, Europe's other major gay resort mecca -- Mykonos has great gay nightlife and is a stopover for many Mediterranean gay cruises. Greek island beaches have clear, cold water and hot sunshine. Ride a horse on the beach. Cuisine from all over the world.

Provincetown, Massachusetts
Perhaps the first US town to turn "gay," Provincetown is an established gay haven with beaches and sand dunes, great restaurants, and quaint early-American architecture. Crowded in summer, lonely, but beautiful and comtemplative, in late autumn. No longer a mainly men's resort, "P-Town" also has a large number of women's inns.

Emerging Gay Resort Destinations
San Jose, Costa Rica
This truly tropical city is finally beginning to develop sufficient gay hospitality infrastructure and gay nightlife to attract notice. Many gay tours visit Costa Rica, where there is plenty to see and do, besides lay on the beach - visit active volcanoes, canoe through rainforests, and view tropical birds in their habitat, while you brush up on your Spanish.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The fastest-growing gay resort destination in the world, right now. New gay accommodations are opening weekly. Quaint old town restaurants, a lively gay bar scene, separate gay and women's day cruises, mountain hot springs, street market shopping, and, of course, a gay beach.

These travel insights were contributed by Marianne Ferrari, who publisher of the series of worldwide gay and lesbian travel guides known collectively as The Ferrari Guides.