Destinations must get specialized. There is no other way if a place has to survive as a destination among the fierce competition from all over the world.
'Certifications' can be a valuable means, as for instance the LGBT or the Family destination certifications. Why do I dare tu mention them side by side? Because if you think twice, they are two different market segments but with lots of common needs and demands. Lloret de Mar or Sitges, both located in Catalonia, might be some of the places where in the future both types of tourism will friendly co-exist.
But for now, let me recall the news that the Valls d'Àneu, in the Catalan Pyrenees, have received the Family Destination Certification. The news can be read here, and it is a good news for the area, mainly because two types of tourism may co-exist there from now on: sports tourism and family tourism.
Speaking of co-existence, and back to the LGBT matter, much hype has been around these days with Russia's homosexual policies and next Winter Olympc Games, All this matter shows nothing but Russia's absolute neglection of human rights. One has to think twice about a government's sanity if they are going to sparkle homophobia among their population.
If nothing else, LGBT tourism should be accepted as a valuable market niche. Is is well-known that these tourists (generally) tend to spend more, are more quiet and demand upscale services, all of these being good pushers to the hospitality industry. See for instance, how the city of Barcelona organizes a big gay & lesbian yearly event to get their tourism figures boosted... click here to se another version of this news.
In fact, many destinations know about the gay-lesbian 'mannah' and therefore try to become 'LGBT-friendly destinations'. But intentions must match reality, so one has to be coherent here. An example of that is Colombia, a country who wants very much to become a LGBT destination, and does such efforts like recently hosting the XI Congress on Alternative Tourism: LGBT, Backpackers and Accessibility. But despite these efforts, last spring's discussion on gay marriage in the Colombian parliament was quite an irrational one, probably putting off more than one gay tourist... you can't have anything, so probably if Colombia really wants to be a LGBT destination, they will have to compromise a bit... In the words of Peter Jordan, an UNWTO official, "All businesses and destinations seeking to attract LGBT customers have a duty recognising the link between social acceptance of homosexuality, government legislation and the effects of these on their business." Quoted in Global Report on LGBT Tourism, AM Reports Vol. 3, UNWTO, Madrid, Spain, 2012.
Needless to say, the foregoing paragraph brings us to the delicate topic of multiculturality and cultural shocks in tourism... but more on that another day.
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