Harris Poll: LGBT Among First to Get Back To Travel

Travel Ban to Mexico Remains in Effect Until June 22 Unless Deemed 'Essential'

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A Harris Poll says LGBT adults are ready to travel.

The poll, taken between May 6 and May 8, 2020, surveyed 2,508 adults with 284 of those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT).

In many ways, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adults appear to mirror their non-LGBT counterparts, yet depart in key ways including their past frequency of travel. LGBT adults, for example, reported taking an average of 3.6 leisure trips in the past year (compared to 2.3 leisure trips for non-LGBT adults) as well as 2.1 business trips, on average, compared to 1.2 trips by non-LGBT adults.

Other key differences also surfaced in this study:

  • LGBT Adults are twice as likely to plan travel over Memorial Day weekend vs. non-LGBT adults (8% vs. 4%).
  • Asked when they anticipate their next leisure trip, 28% of LGBT adults responded it would take place in the next four months (May-August) when contrasted with 21% of non-LGBT adults.  Just over half (51%) of LGBT adults vs. 46% of non-LGBT adults expect to travel for vacation in 2020.
  • 46% of LGBT adults (when compared with 37% of non-LGBT counterparts) expect the pandemic situation will be resolved before this year’s summer travel season.

Whether traveling or not in the near-term, LGBT respondents reported feeling more comfortable than others making these specific travel choices today:

  • Traveling to a US destination: 64% LGBT vs. 58% non-LGBT adults.
  • Staying in a hotel: 59% LGBT vs. 50% non-LGBT adults.
  • Staying at an Airbnb: 43% LGBT vs. 35% non-LGBT adults.
  • Flying commercial aircraft: 43% LGBT vs. 35% non-LGBT adults.
  • Traveling to Europe: 35% LGBT vs. 28% non-LGBT adults.
  • Attending a crowded event, concert, theme park or beach: 33% LGBT vs. 25% non-LGBT.
  • Taking a cruise: 31% LGBT vs. 23% non-LGBT.

Finally, when asked what conditions or arguments will have the greatest impact on their personal decisions favoring leisure travel in 2020, LGBT travelers disproportionately favored several:

  • Significantly reduced public health risks: 60% LGBT vs. 54% non-LGBT.
  • Strong need for travel/change of scenery: 54% LGBT vs. 43% non-LGBT.
  • Compelling travel bargains and promotions: 47% LGBT vs. 36% non-LGBT.
  • Personal desire to support a destination and local economy: 48% LGBT vs. 33% non-LGBT.

Acknowledging serious public health concerns as well as new limits promoting safe travel and accommodations practices, even the most frequent travelers cite caution in making their next plans in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the poll said.

Traveling to Puerto Vallarta

If you are looking to travel to Puerto Vallarta, Visit Puerto Vallarta is keeping an updated list of airlines and hotels that are operating or when they plan on reopening. You can view the list here. 

The US has a travel ban to Mexico and Canada until June 22 unless your travel is deemed essential. Tourism is not deemed essential. You can read about the ban here.

Before making any final plans, please contact the hotel first to make sure things have not changed. Most hotels (if not all ) may have limited services or amenities. The follow list is by no means inclusive, so please do your research. There are also some LGBT hostels that may be or soon be opening.

Paul Crist, owner of Hotel Mercurio, explained that The state of Jalisco has issued a set of protocols that businesses must follow.

“These involve required cleaning and sanitation equipment, procedures developed and implemented, staff training, and of course operational requirements for maintaining distance between customers, guest clients,” he explained. “There are different sets of protocols for different categories of businesses. We are preparing to be able to follow both the hotel and hospitality industry protocols and the bar & restaurants protocols, since we have both.”

But Crist cautioned travelers that openings are based on current conditions and that the conditions can change quickly.

“It’s worth noting that both Quintana Roo (the state where Cancún is located) and Los Cabos (Baja California) were readying to open on June 1, per federal government guidelines,” And a couple of days ago, it was announced that they would not be able to open on June 1 due to the COVID-19 numbers still increasing in those locations. While we appear to be good to go in Vallarta, the situation and orders from the government can change quickly.”

LGBT or LGBT Friendly Currently Open

Villa Mercedes
Blue Chairs
Emperador

LGBT or LGBT Friendly Hotels Reopening June 1, 2020.

Hotel Mercurio (Zona Romantica)
Casa Cupula  (Zona Romantica)
Almar LGBT Resort (Zona Romantica)
Westin
Hilton
Pinata PV Gay Hotel has announced their reopening is set for Sept. 2, 2020

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