July 3, 2010   Gay News, News and Happenings, Train

GAY TRAVEL GAY TRAINS! Amtrak Targets LGBT Passengers with New Ads

Gay Travel by Train!  It’s funny, we started  New Gay Travel Guide in 2006.  And just before we started the site, we were seeing more and more cities (like Las Vegas )  and businesses (like American Airlines )  reaching out to the LGBT Community.  Now, more than ever, you see  gay travel offers, gay travel pages on city websites,  tourism sites and special offers targeted to the LGBT gay travel market.

With the sagging economic times we have witnessed in the last 2 years, some have accused these companies of trying to cash in on the gay dollar to make up for their sagging revenues. I don’t believe that.  20 years ago, big companies were afraid to market to gays and lesbians for fear their heterosexual clients would give them flack.  As  gay became more and more acceptable,  that wall has  dropped. Or at least lowered.

We talk to many service providers around the world, many who have changed their company policies to help protect their LGBT employees and give them added benefits. They have realized we are part of the fabric of this world, and should not, and can not be ignored any longer. And they want to make sure are included and welcomed, and I applaud their efforts!

For the first time, Amtrak is courting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered travelers with a targeted $250,000 multimedia advertising blitz this summer.

The government-owned rail company is looking to the LGBT community for business with the hopes that its propensity for travel will translate well into rail transportation.  Amtrak has targeted other demographic groups in the past, including students, seniors, veterans, families with children, Hispanics, African Americans and international customers. However this is the first time it has aimed its efforts toward the LGBT community

In the DAILY  CALLER , Aaron Hicklin, editor in chief of Out Magazine, was enthusiastic about the prospect of Amtrak advertising in his publication. “I think the LGBT community is a great demographic given it’s tremendous mobility, and higher likelihood to take short city breaks in the U.S. to destinations served by Amtrak.” He continued, “Clearly Amtrak appreciates that our community is a significant market that responds to targeted advertising. Many airlines have established LGBT marketing campaigns to great success, and there’s a clear opportunity for Amtrak to remind our readers that there is a viable, in many ways more efficient, alternative, particularly on short-haul routes.”

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