The New York Times Travel Show, a three-day event held every January at the Jacob K. Javits Center, brings more than 30,000 travel professionals under one roof. And this year, more than ever, it showcased a rainbow coalition of destinations, organizations and publications, actively engaging with the LGBTQ traveler.
For the second consecutive year, the New York Times Travel Show included an LGBTQ Travel Pavilion featuring brands “designed for the enjoyment and safety of LGBTQ travelers and their allies, friends and loved ones.” Four of these destinations later took center stage at the ManAboutWorld-hosted cocktail party and media event, where Puerto Rico, Illinois, Berlin and Fort Lauderdale each unveiled tourism campaigns welcoming us all to visit.
For some travel inspiration, take a look at their videos below:
This summer, the contemporary art world is converging in Cleveland. Through September 30, the city hosts the inaugural FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art, engaging the region with over 100 programs by international, national and local artists. From traditional museums to repurposed spaces, the Cleveland Triennial is enabling art lovers to explore the city’s major attractions and travelers to revel in world-class contemporary art.
One of the highlights, The American Library by artist Yinka Shonibare MBE, fittingly displayed in the Cleveland Public Library, celebrates the diversity of the United States—never more topical than with the backdrop of the immigration debate, the President’s controversial travel ban and the recent outcry over the separation of families at the border. The American Library consists of approximately 6,000 books, each wrapped in a traditional African textile and stamped in gold with the name of a first- or second-generation immigrant to the United States. And the featured Americans will surprise you: from Leonard Bernstein to Scarlett Johansson to—yes—Ted Cruz, Sarah Palin and Donald Trump. Though the backgrounds are all different, each person shares a common bond, they are the American product of immigration.
Curious about an individual’s background?
Head to theamericanlibraryinstallation.com to research the cultural heritage that has shaped each of these Americans. I was particularly drawn to the stories of those who are actively fighting against immigration, though they themselves have greatly benefitted from our nation’s history of welcoming other cultures. For example: Ted Cruz, born in Canada to a Cuban father; or Donald Trump, whose mother is from the U.K. and paternal grandparents are from Germany.
Chances are, you have your own immigration tale. Visit the website to add your story and photograph to the expanding narrative.
I am very excited to join the Global Correspondents team at ManAboutWorld, a digital gay travel magazine available on iPad, iPhone and Android devices.
Curious to learn more? Enjoy a FREE trial subscription by clicking here.
And check back soon on TravelingIQ.com for upcoming collaborations.
And soon their histories will find national representation.
Queer Britain is working to establish the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum. With an anticipated opening in 2021, the brick- and-mortar museum will host permanent and temporary exhibits, with an innovative digital presence. It will feature objects and records from the worlds of art, fashion, film, literature, TV, theatre, news, music, diaries, letters, photographs and legal records.
According to London Mayor Sadiq Kahn, “As Mayor, it’s so important to me that London is seen as a city where LGBTQ+ people feel valued, happy and safe – this sends a clear message to the world that London is a beacon of diversity.”
Queer Britain hopes its museum extends beyond celebrating modern-day gay London and creates historical context. As its website further explains, “Many young people now have a strong sense of freedom about identity, but not how these were formed or the lives of those who came before them. A healthy plant needs deep roots.”
It’s the season of resolutions–the time to plan this year’s travel, uncover new destinations and fantasize about exotic trips you may or may not ever take. But with so many “top travel lists” how do you focus your exploration? Fear not. Traveling IQ has combed the pages, clicked the links and collated the suggestions from the most trusted travel publications, to find the ultimate destinations for IQ’s 2018 Travel Top Trilogy.
New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS – Photo courtesy of NewOrleans.com
New Orleans leads the pack as the American city most recommended by travel publications. Celebrating its tricentennial in 2018, the Big Easy promises to make its 300th birthday party a year-long event. And you’re invited! Whether you chomp on po’boys or savor fine Creole cuisine, guzzle Hurricanes down Bourbon Street or sip craft cocktails in hotel lounges, saunter through historical walking tours or dance along with extravagant parades, New Orleans requests the honor of your presence.
Malta
MALTA – Photo courtesy of Flickr/DRAS
Malta is stepping into the spotlight in 2018. The small island country off the coast of Sicily has a “vibe that is Mediterranean with a North African twist,” says Travel & Leisure. Already a popular European beach getaway, this year, the world’s artists will descend on Valetta, Malta’s capital, named a 2018 European Capital of Culture. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, Valetta boasts Baroque architecture, prehistoric temples and the enviable characterization as “Europe’s sunniest city,” with more than 300 days of sunshine each year.
South Korea
PYEONGCHANG, KOREA – Photo courtesy of Flickr/Korea
South Korea will be on full display as PyeongChang hosts the 2018 Winter Olympics next month. Now an easy commute with the launch of a high-speed rail connecting the resort town to Seoul in 70 minutes, you can tour the Olympic village, attempt your own Triple Axel, and still make your dinner reservation in Seoul’s trendy Hannam neighborhood. After dinner, don’t forget to stroll through Seoullo 7017, the city’s new high-line park, lined with 24,000 plants atop an elevated former highway.
(These destinations were chosen from the top lists of the New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, CNN, Frommers, US News & World Report, Lonely Planet, Afar, the Guardian, Rough Guide, LA Times and National Geographic.)
You are welcome here—no really, you are, we promise—has been the predominant U.S. travel campaign theme of 2017.
The travel industry has been working overtime to offset a negative international perception of the United States since the presidential election. Cities such as Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco (to name a few) have invested in various versions of “Welcome” campaigns. In February, Hyatt Hotels launched the “World of Hyatt” integrated marketing campaign during the Oscars® broadcast, with a video celebrating empathy and multiculturalism. In June, Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, announced their “One Big Welcome” strategy, using personalized video invitations from “real people” to attract potential visitors.
Unfortunately, the President’s “America First” political message is translating to “America Alone” when attracting international tourism. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1.3 million fewer foreigners visited the United States during the first half of 2017. The New York Times reported that European readers overwhelmingly cited the Trump administration and its policies as reasons for avoiding travel to the United States. And last month, the National Brands Index, a global survey measuring perception of fifty nations, saw the U.S. drop from No. 1 to No. 6, in overall nation brand.
International travel is America’s number one service export, boasting an $87 billion international travel trade surplus last year. In an article in Worth, Roger Dow, the president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association writes, “The Trump administration has yet to convey a sustained message of welcome to international visitors. Long-term failure to do so will unnecessarily deter travelers, which could have disastrous consequences for the U.S. economy.”
While we wait….
and wait…
and wait…
Let’s take a look at a few of my favorite, inclusive travel campaigns of 2017:
The world of travel moves fast! Let’s keep up–together. On Fridays, Traveling IQ curates the highlights:
*June is Gay Pride Month, with rainbow-themed festivities and parades all over the U.S. For anyone who has ever wondered why these celebrations are still important, click through for your answer (via CNN).
*Save by booking your summer vacation on the first day of the season. On June 21,”CyberSummer” offers 24-hour travel deals throughout the Caribbean, Florida, Mexico, Latin America and South Africa (via CyberSummerTravel).
*As summer descends on NYC, its residents ascend to the city’s rooftops. Raise your glass at an elevated bar (via Time Out) or shimmy up toward a gay rooftop party (via Next Magazine).
*Celebrate Father’s Day at a destination named for Papa (via AOL).
*Seventy-five years ago, Fascist Italy exiled homosexuals to the Tremiti Islands, creating both a prison regime and the country’s first gay community (via BBC News).
*Russian parliament confirms gay travel dollars are not welcomed in their country by unanimously passing an anti-gay bill that bans–among many other things–gay pride rallies (via Herald Sun).
What did I miss? Share your favorite travel news in the comments below or by posting on the Traveling IQ Facebook page.
The world of travel moves fast! Let’s keep up–together. On Fridays, Traveling IQ curates the highlights from the past week:
I’m too sexy for this country…
*The price of beauty is deportation. Or so discovered Omar Borkan Al Gala (pictured above) and two other men, deported from Saudi Arabia for being… wait for it… wait for it… too handsome (via Asiantown.net).
*Time to expand your destination wedding options. On Tuesday, France became the 14th country to allow same-sex marriage (Yahoo). The next day, the Rhode Island Senate approved legislation to make the “Hope” state the 10th in the U.S., in addition to Washington D.C., to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples (via The Advocate).
*In other sweet news, earlier this month two men married in Africa’s first traditional gay wedding (via Daily Mail).
* In the Navy, yes, you can sail the seven seas, but apparently cannot afford to dock in New York City. This year, Congress has sequestered the sailors. Because of federal budget cuts, the Navy’s annual Fleet Week is cancelled (via AMNY).
*More than ever, support Boston with your travel dollars… here are ten reasons why (via PeterGreenberg.com).
*Go big or stay home! Splurge at a hotel worthy of your holiday (via Conde Nast Traveler).
What did I miss? Share your favorite travel news in the comments below or by posting on the Traveling IQ Facebook page.
The world of travel moves fast! Let’s keep up–together. On Fridays, Traveling IQ curates the highlights from the past week:
If he only had a knife…
*Your liquid soap, cologne and moisturizing lotion over 3.4 ounces will still not be allowed in your carry-on, but your knives, ski poles and toy bats can board the aircraft, effective April 25, 2013 (via CNN).
*Scraping the sky on Instagram from 2,716 feet (via Huffington Post).
*Rumor has it, “air rage” is on the rise (via CNN).
*Boys will be boys, and bears and beasts and stags and trees. Photographer Charles Fréger captures men of Europe dressed in outfits wilder than the National Tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (via National Geographic).
*The same oil that fried up your lunch might be powering your next flight to Europe (via BBC).
*Curious about the sexual orientation of a building? Tour the Gayest Buildings in America (via California Home & Design).
*A time-lapse film captures New York City in the fast lane (via Kickstarter):
What did I miss? Share your favorite travel news in the comments below or by posting on the Traveling IQ Facebook page.
IMAGES COURTESY OF BISHOPSGATE INSTITUTE / (CC) LSE / NAPOLEON SARONY / JANE MCCORMICK SMITH / BEX WADE / ROBERT TAYLOR (via Queer Britain)
