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Among the 275 self-identified LGBT respondents in the nationwide survey of 2,772 adults, conducted between May 5 and 12, 2008, 38 percent said they were "absolutely certain" or "very likely" to take their vacations as planned this year, as opposed to 34 percent of heterosexuals.
Similarly, 25 percent of gays and lesbians said they intended to travel by air, compared to 19 percent of heterosexuals, and nearly a third (32 percent) of LGBT travelers said they would drive. Only 28 percent of heterosexuals said they would take their car on vacation.
The strong trends toward travel spending among LGBT consumers should be considered a bright spot for the hospitality industry, says Bob Witeck, CEO of the market research firm Witeck-Combs Communications.
"Though gay consumers are not more affluent than others, they appear to consistently budget more discretionary dollars toward travel, even during downturns in the economy such as we face now," says Witeck.
A spokesperson for Harris Interactive echoed that sentiment.
"There are clear market trends in gay travel that are especially important for destinations and travel suppliers to understand in the current economic cycle," says Jim Quilty, a vice president in travel and tourism research at Harris.
"This survey reinforces the resilience of lesbian and gay consumers when other travel spending is curtailed among other demographics," he added.
