American Airlines, Madrid Pride, San Francisco top gay travel awards

The Logo network announced the winners this week of its TripOut Gay Travel Awards at London’s World Travel Market.

 

The network’s affiliated gay travel web site TripOutGayTravel.com recruited gay travel writers, editors and travel experts to come up with a list of nominees.  But the site’s readers decided on the winners. 

 

California did pretty well.   San Francisco was named best US destination.   And the Abbey in West Hollywood was named best gay bar in the world.

 

Here’s some of the highlights: 

 

 

 New York City reigns supreme as the premier LGBT global travel destination for 2010 by winning "Best Global Destination." 

 

 Returning favorites won for a second year in a row including: American Airlines for "Best Airline," "The Abbey" in West Hollywood for "Best Gay Bar in the World" and Madrid Pride for Best Annual Gay Destination (Party or Event). 

 

 Canada solidifies its position as a well-known "gay approved" travel destination winning "Best Breakout Destination" for Toronto. In addition, Charles Lapointe of Tourisme Montreal receives "The Gay+ Award for Achievement in Making Our World Gayer." Lapointe can aptly be described as a forefather and architect of Canadian and Montreal LGBT travel. 

 

 Rio De Janiero won the popular vote of "Sexiest Place on Earth" destination by a staggering 58% of the user-generated votes.

 

In addition, TripOutGayTravel.com recognizes Charles Lapointe of Tourisme Montreal with the "The Gay+ Award for Achievement in Making Our World Gayer." The award goes to an organization or travel professional who has increased awareness of the LGBT consumer in the world of travel, tourism and hospitality. Charles Lapointe is a former delegate to the United Nations, a former Canadian Cabinet Minister and since 1989 he has been President and CEO of the Greater Montreal Convention and Tourism Bureau (Tourisme Montreal). In 2002, he also became Chairman of the Canadian Tourism Commission. 

 

For more information about the winners and nominees listed below, please go to TripOutGayTravel.com. A full list of nominees and winners for each category is listed below.

 

 

The Second Annual "TripOut Gay Travel Awards":

 

 

Best Global Destination (City or Country)

Berlin, Germany

Buenos Aires, Argentina

London, United Kingdom

Madrid, Spain

Montreal, Canada

 

 

Best U.S. Destination

Chicago, IL

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Las Vegas, NV

Philadelphia, PA

Provincetown, MA

San Francisco, CA (WINNER)

 

 

Best Airline

Delta

JetBlue

LAN

Southwest

Virgin America

 

 

Best Hotel Chain (Collection)

Ace Hotels

Andaz Hotels

Four Seasons

Hyatt

Kimpton

 

 

Best LGBT Tour Operator

Alyson Adventures

Atlantis

Olivia

Out Adventures

Sweet

 

 

Best Annual Gay Destination (Party or Event)

Amsterdam Gay Pride

The Dinah & Dinah Shore Weekend, Palm Springs

Manchester Pride

Provincetown Bear Week

Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

 

 

Best Ultimate Luxury Hotel/Resort (Global)

SkyLofts at MGM Grand – Las Vegas, NV

The Raleigh - South Beach, Miami, FL

The London, West Hollywood – West Hollywood, CA

Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino - Curacao, Dutch West Indies

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok – Bangkok, Thailand

 

 

Best Breakout Destination

Dallas, TX

Mexico City, Mexico

Reykjavik, Iceland

Tel Aviv, Israel

Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

 

Sexiest Place on Earth

Barcelona, Spain

Key West. FL

Las Vegas, NV

Tel Aviv, Israel

Palm Springs, CA

 

 

Best Gay Bar in the World

Club Manana, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Roscoe's, Chicago, IL

The Round-Up Saloon, Dallas, TX

Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London, UK

The Week, Rio/Sao Paulo/Florianopolis, Brazil