Championing LGBTQ Travel

Cruise Planners Champions Diversity at Think Tank for LGBTQ Travel Community

Cruise Planners is dedicated to taking the initiative in leading the travel industry when it comes to improving the LGBTQ travel experience. 

Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, was recognized among the fourteen travel industry leaders breaking new ground in impeccable service initiatives for the LGBTQ community. Garcia is active in developing diversity and inclusion strategies.

“It’s always great to come together and share ideas about how the travel industry can better serve the LGBTQ market, and I particularly embraced the message of inclusion for all people,” says Vicky.  “I am happy to continue to support the Greater Fort Lauderdale community and be a thought leader in LGBTQ tourism.” 

Cruise Planners is dedicated to taking the initiative in leading the travel industry when it comes to improving the LGBTQ travel experience. The company even dedicates a portion of the site for LGBT Vacations. Cruise Planners’ LGBTQ initiatives have included unique cruise packages devoted to celebrating same-sex couples such as the Sea of Love cruise on board the Norwegian Getaway and participating in the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitor's Bureau's Love is Love same-sex marriage celebration. 

Great minds meet to talk about travel, LGBTQ tourism and how a spirit of inclusiveness is best for the business at the LGBTQ Think Tank in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. From left to right: Billy Kolber, Anders Lindstrom, Tom Roth, Jacob Huang, Vicky Garcia Cruise Planners COO and co-owner, Gregg Kaminsky, Rick Fowler, Diane Anderson-Minshall, Charlie Rounds, Bob Witeck, David Nelson, Jeff Guaracino, Richard Gray, Alexis Dee

Global Initiative for Better LGBTQ Tourism

Traveling the globe is all about diversity, understanding and celebrating the differences we all have. For years, Fort Lauderdale has been a leader in LGBTQ tourism. Knowing this, Greater Fort Lauderdale recently hosted the Inaugural Global LGBTQ Think Tank to brainstorm innovative ideas on improving travel experiences from the LGBTQ community.

“Leveraging insights from the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBTQ Think Tank will be essential for growing LGBTQ travel globally,” says Richard Gray, vice president, LGBTQ market for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “I’ve been working on LGBTQ travel issues for several years, and I’m really happy that I had the opportunity to participate in this global exchange of ideas,” he said.

Representing LGBTQ travelers around the world at the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBTQ Think Tank (from left to right): Rick Fowler, vice president, meetings & education, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; David Nelson, senior portfolio analyst and chairman of LGBTQ Employee Resource Group, Royal Caribbean; Vicky Garcia, chief operating officer and co-owner of Cruise Planners

Top 5 Diverse Travel Destinations in the U.S. 

Here is a list of the most popular cities to visit among the LGBT community according to a 2016 study done by Community Marketing & Insights (CMI).

  • New York City 
  • San Francisco 
  • Los Angeles 
  • Las Vegas 
  • Chicago 

Cruise Planners strives to be the front-runner in embracing diversity and celebrating those differences. Speak to a Cruise Planners LGBTQ-friendly Travel Agent today to book your next LGBTQ-friendly tour, cruise or vacation package.  

 

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