Logo, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks, has announced that TripOutGayTravel.com, its travel site dedicated to gay travelers and MTV Networks' first stand-alone, travel-focused site, has finalized the winners of its first ever "TripOut Gay Travel Awards." The awards honor destinations and services that attract and market to gay travelers.
The awards and winners were officially celebrated last night at a reception coinciding with the Community Marketing, Inc. 10th International Conference on Gay and Lesbian Tourism in Boston, MA with select honorees in attendance to receive their award.
The "TripOut Gay Travel Awards" honor the destinations and travel services that deserve such unique titles including "Sexiest Place on Earth," "Best Breakout Destination," "Ultimate Luxury Hotel" and "Best Gay Bar in the World" for the gay and lesbian community. TripOutGayTravel.com recruited an academy of experienced writers, editors and travel experts covering the LGBT travel market to comprise this year's list of nominations. Over 100,000 votes were cast by the site's readers and fans to determine the title for the best gay destination, tour operator hospitality service and more.
"The voting results showcase the places our community loves to visit, where and with whom they choose to spend their time and money, and which destinations and businesses truly excel in welcoming LGBT visitors," said John Polly, TripOutGayTravel.com's editor.
Winners for the First Annual "TripOut Gay Travel Awards":
Best Global Destination (City or Country)
Barcelona
Buenos Aires
London
Montreal
Rio de Janeiro (WINNER)
Sydney
Best US Destination
New Orleans, Louisiana
New York City, New York (WINNER)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Portland, Oregon
Provincetown, Massachusetts
San Francisco, California
Best Airline
American (WINNER)
Delta
JetBlue
Qantas
Southwest
Virgin America
Best Hotel Chain (Collection)
Ace Hotels
Four Seasons
Hyatt
Kimpton
Joie de Vivre
W Hotels (WINNER)
Best LGBT Tour Operator
Alyson Adventures
Atlantis Events (WINNER)
R Family Cruises
Sweet
Undersea Expeditions
Zoom Vacations
Best Annual Gay Destination Party or Event
Amsterdam Pride
Burning Man
Dinah Shore / The Dinah
Madrid Pride (WINNER)
Pride Toronto
Sydney Mardi Gras
Best Ultimate Luxury Hotel/Resort (Global)
Wynn Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV (WINNER)
Fontainebleau Resort - Miami, FL
Four Seasons Maui - Maui, HI
Park Hyatt - Tokyo, Japan
Singita Lodge & Game Reserves - Kruger National Park, South Africa
Mandarin Oriental Dhari Devi Chiang Mai - Chiang Mai, Thailand
Best Breakout Destination
Bogota, Colombia
Croatia
Curacao, Dutch West Indies (WINNER)
Mumbai, India
Santiago, Chile
Shanghai, China
Sexiest Place on Earth
Buenos Aires, the Palermo neighborhoods
Fort Lauderdale, the beaches & bars
Las Vegas, any hotel room
Madrid, the Chueca neighborhood
Mykonos, Elia Beach
Paris, the Marais (WINNER)
Best Gay Bar in the World
The Abbey, Los Angeles (WINNER)
Exit, Amsterdam
Heaven, London
Le Drugstore, Montreal
Sidetrack, Chicago
The Week, Rio & Sao Paulo
The Gay+ Award for Achievement in Making our World Gayer
Richard Gray, "Richard Gray Consulting"
For more information about the nominees and winners, please go to TripOutGayTravel.com.
Source: Logo