Top honeymoon spots for gay couples have been revealed today by Abta in the wake of same sex marriage being legalised in England and Wales over the weekend.
These include long established lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender destinations such as Brighton, the Greek Islands, Miami and Sydney as well as newer favourites Puerto Vallarta and Tel Aviv.
Others include Cape Town, Phuket, San Francisco and Sitges in Spain, while the association has also identified emerging destinations such as Montpellier in France and Florianopolis in Brazil.
But Abta is advising couples to check countries that recognise same sex unions as well as those countries that are very gay friendly even if legislation is not explicit.
Around 7,000 same sex couples are estimated to enter into a civil partnership each year and many are expected to get married, with the first ceremonies taking place over the weekend.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “A honeymoon is a traditional way to start married life so we recommend couples research their options thoroughly: talk to a travel professional, who will be able to offer advice about destinations and experiences, check travel advice with Abta and the Foreign Office and always book with a reputable company.
“There are some fantastic locations to choose from to inspire all newlyweds to get the most out of their honeymoon plans.”
John Tanzella, chief executive of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association said: “It is encouraging to see LGBT marriage and honeymoons on the rise globally.
“As LGBT rights increase around the world, we’ll see more and more destinations embracing this sizable market.
“However, when you’re planning that dream trip it’s still important to work with travel professionals who understand the needs of gay travellers as individuals and aren’t just treating them as a ‘niche’ to target.”