LGBTQ+ Travel

Episode 08: Where's Your Pride? Gay Travel Around The World

By , June 27th, 2017

Kike Sarasola, Founder of Room Mate Hotels

Kike Sarasola, an Olympian horseback rider turned global hotel magnate, has brought unique personalities to life at properties around the world. With Pride season in full swing, we zoom in on the Room Mate Óscar in Madrid, Spain, the host of World Pride 2017. Kike shares how his hotels have become the must-stay place for LGBTQ travelers, city locals, and everyone in between.

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“I would reserve one big bed and I would come to the hotel and they would see us and give us two separate beds. I would get so furious.”

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Scott Gatz, GayCities

Scott is the CEO and founder of Q.Digital, which runs a variety of websites targeting the LGBTQ community, including LGBTQ Nation, Queerty, and GayCities — reaching eight million people every month. Scott shares his thoughts on how gay travel has changed in recent years around the world.

“Over time you can become someone who’s out there very publicly. Then the next kid that goes in that coffee shop and sees you will be able to get some courage and follow the same journey.”

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Zach Stafford of INTO, Grindr

Zach Stafford is the new Editor-In-Chief of INTO, Grindr’s digital magazine. Zach’s been busy launching their new digital magazine, Into, covering everything from fashion to the news in order to highlight the complexities of LGBT lives across the world. Some people might think they know how gay travelers are using Grindr, but Zach shares how the app is most widely used — connecting with the community away from home.

“You can fly into anywhere and you immediately have connection to the community you want to hang out with.”

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Mentioned on the Show

News

Queerty: “Some guys have all the luck. John and Michael got engaged as they marched in last year’s New York City Pride with their contingent of Flaggots, the flamboyant color guard marching band, drawing “awwws” and tears of joy from onlookers and participants alike. The video of the engagement went viral. Their actual June wedding this year was even more inspiring. Social media star Max Emerson, who of course strips off his shirt in glee, the Trivago Guy and the Flaggots (again) surprise them with a full flag salute, dance routine and a dream honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta and Key West, compliments of trivago.”

Metro News: “The government committed $100,000 Monday to help promote Canada as a destination for LGBT tourists. On Monday, Minister of Tourism Bardish Chagger announced the funding, which will go to Travel Gay Canada, an industry group that works with tour operators to make sure their operations are inclusive and welcoming. Chagger said Canada’s approach to LGBT rights is central to the country’s value, but also opens doors for the tourism market.”