Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing and Ski Vermont Actively Welcome LGBT Travelers

Known for its warm welcome and LGBT legislative progressiveness, Vermont continues to be an advocate of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) culture; sponsoring LGBT events to elevate Vermont as a four-season LGBT travel destination.

Vermont Ski Areas Association (Ski Vermont) and Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) are co-sponsoring Provincetown for Women, four festivals for women in Provincetown, Ma. On July 20, the leading event, Girl Splash, immerses more than 500 guests in LGBT culture with some of the nation’s foremost lesbian writers and influential LGBT couples in attendance. Ski Vermont and VDTM will staff the event and distribute premium Vermont giveaways, like a ski and stay getaway prize package, and 100 VIP gift bags. Last year, more than 15,000 women participated in this Girl Power Productions series of events.

“Across Vermont, citizens and businesses continue to make a concerted effort toward welcoming the LGBT community,” Tourism Commissioner Megan Smith said. “Ahead of the curve, our state led the nation in LGBT equality and we take pride in being an open, safe and non-judgmental culture.”

Also sponsored by VDTM, the second annual Northern Decadence Food & Travel Expo is September 22 at Battery Park in Burlington, as part of the annual Vermont Pride Festival. The Vermont Gay Tourism Association (VGTA) produces Northern Decadence to promote Vermont to the LGBT travel market. Northern Decadence celebrates Vermont's diversity, tourism and culinary culture.

The VGTA and VDTM recently promoted Vermont’s renowned LGBT-friendly inns, hotels, restaurants and attractions at the Boston Pride Festival on June 9. Several thousand people attended the festivities.

Killington Resort is the official host of the 2013 Winter Pride event produced by Gay Network Alliance of Riders (GNAR). The three-day festival is set for February 1-3 and is expected to draw visitors from across the country. GNAR’s Winter Pride event will feature a lineup of on-snow activities, live entertainment and nightlife parties.

LGBT travelers from around the world visit Vermont annually. Vermont’s progress on LGBT equality is historic. Vermont was the first state to legally recognize gay couples when it created civil unions, and was the first state to pass marriage equality through the legislature.

LGBT travel resources link from the home page of VermontVacation.com where VDTM has a getaway contest to Trapp Family Lodge, including a two nights’ stay with breakfast, trail passes and dinner for two. For more information, please visit www.skivermont.com and www.vermontvacation.com/LGBT.