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Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI) the San Francisco-based LGBT market research and communications firm, has taken an annual pulse on the state of gay and lesbian tourism and hospitality since 1994. "In this dynamic market space, and with shifting trends in both destination acceptance and traveler motivations, it's as important as ever to gauge destination strength, and adjust marketing strategies accordingly," said David Paisley, CMI's Senior Research Director. "Our large surveys are representative of LGBT consumers who are influenced by destination marketing campaigns, and who decide their travel plans accordingly."

CMI's annual studies are unlike other reports, which are either popularity contests ("what's your favorite destination?") or present small samples. CMI reports on visited destinations; the places that gay and lesbians traveled to in the past year, and stayed at least one overnight in a hotel. Over 7,000 LGBT consumers took CMI's Gay & Lesbian Tourism Survey in 2009. The rankings below reflect the 4,726 LGBT survey-takers living in the United States. Participants were geographically balanced, closely matching census data. For more information on CMI's methodologies and unique market intelligence capabilities, please click here.

With over 50,000 LGBT consumers in its research panel, CMI has a unique ability to identify differences within LGBT, for example top destinations for gay men vs. lesbians, young adult LGBT vs. senior LGBT, distinctions based on place of residence, relationship status, income, etc. Please see below for samples of those comparisons.

Overall trends included:
1) Due to the deep recession, almost all destinations experienced a decrease in LGBT travel, except Washington DC which garnered higher numbers.
2) The rankings remain remarkably consistent from past years. A few destinations such as Seattle, however, did jump up in rankings.
3) The top seven LGBT destinations experienced the least decline in LGBT visitors, while other destinations experienced larger declines.
4) Overall, leisure travel declined slightly among LGBT travelers, but business travel and cruise travel saw steeper drop-offs.

The following lists are reflective of the 4,726 American LGBT survey takers, who traveled to the city in the past 12 months and spent at least one night in a hotel.

Top 25 US Destinations for American LGBT Travelers with percentage who visited (as Combined Leisure & Business Travel Ranking)
1) New York City: 32%
2) San Francisco: 27%
3) Las Vegas: 26%
4) Chicago: 25%
5) Los Angeles / West Hollywood: 24%
6) Washington, DC: 23%
7) Fort Lauderdale: 17%
8) San Diego: 15%
9) Orlando: 14%
9) Seattle: 14%
11) Boston: 13%
11) Philadelphia: 13%
13) Palm Springs 12%
13) Atlanta: 12%
13) Miami: 12%
16) Dallas: 11%
16) Denver: 11%
16) Phoenix/Tempe/Scottsdale: 11%
19) New Orleans: 10%
20) Napa County, CA: 9%
20) Provincetown, MA: 9%
20) Sonoma County, CA: 9%
23) Portland, OR 8%
23) Baltimore: 8%
23) Tampa/St. Pete: 8%

Top 5 US Destinations for American LGBT Travelers (as Leisure Travel Ranking)
1) New York
2) Las Vegas
3) San Francisco
4) Los Angeles / West Hollywood
5) Chicago

Top 5 US Destinations for American LGBT Travelers (as Business Travel Ranking)
1) Chicago
2) New York
3) Washington DC
4) San Francisco
5) Los Angeles

Top Canadian Destinations for American LGBT Travelers
1) Toronto
2) Montreal
3) Vancouver

Top European Destinations for American LGBT Travelers
1) England
2) France
3) Germany
4) Italy
5) Spain

Below are the top destinations for segments within the full LGBT panel:

Top 5 Destinations for American Gay Men
1) New York
2) Las Vegas
3) San Francisco
4) Los Angeles / West Hollywood
5) Chicago

Top 5 Destinations for American Lesbians
1) Las Vegas
2) San Francisco
3) New York
4) Los Angeles / West Hollywood
5) Chicago

Top 5 Destinations for American LGBT Seniors Age 62+
1) New York
2) Las Vegas
3) Los Angeles / West Hollywood
4) Fort Lauderdale
5) San Francisco

Top 5 Destinations for American LGBT Young Adults Age 18-32
1) New York
2) Las Vegas
3) San Francisco
4) Chicago
5) Washington DC

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