Last updated: 12:10 PM ET, Fri June 7, 2024
WHY IT RATES: PROUD Experiences hit record attendance numbers while bringing the international travel industry together to celebrate, educate, and validate a sector that has endorsed the exhibition as the annual meeting place for the LGBTQ+ travel community. —Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Managing Editor
The state of Nayarit’s tourism ministry initiated its celebration of Pride this week as it exhibited at this year’s edition of PROUD Experiences, a business platform where global travel brands, products, and services can meet with travel agents and planners focused on creating leisure itineraries for their LGBTQ+ clients.
Held from June 3rd to 5th at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, PROUD Experiences hit record attendance numbers while bringing the international travel industry together to celebrate, educate, and validate a sector that has endorsed the exhibition as the annual meeting place for the LGBTQ+ travel community.
(Photo Credit: The State of Nayarit)
This year’s PROUD Experiences was themed #belongeverywhere, stating that the LGBT+ community does, indeed, belong everywhere. The state of Nayarit, currently the only active Mexican member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), communicated that it welcomes the LGBTQ+ community and offers a safe space to all visitors. During event sessions, Nayarit officials met with representatives from Virtuoso, Rainbow Getaways, Ensemble, American Express, Signature, and 40 other members of the trade, as well as 15 members of the media.
Nayarit is home to many historical cities, beach towns, and small villages, all of which are ready to welcome and host LGBTQ+ travelers. From the gorgeous beachfront resorts and restaurants of Nuevo Nayarit and luxury hotspots of Punta Mita to boutique-heavy bohemian beach towns like Sayulita and the rugged nature and beautiful wildlife of San Blas, Nayarit has a vibe to fit every style of traveler. The state capital, Tepic, for example, has a small but active gay scene, with several gay bars, as well as an annual Pride march held every June.
A top draw to Nayarit for LGBTQ+ travelers is its lengthy list of luxury hotels, resorts, and villas. Punta Mita is one of the top luxury enclaves within the state of Nayarit, home to five-star resorts like St. Regis Punta Mita, which recently completed the first phase of a multi-million dollar renovation with a second phase underway; Four Seasons Punta Mita; and the newly opened Susurros del Corazon, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection. Travelers will also find resorts like Conrad Punta Mita and W Punta Mita along the Punta Mita peninsula, as well as one of the most robust villa rental portfolios in the country. To the north, One&Only Mandarina opened its doors in 2020 and a Rosewood resort is expected to open next door in 2024. More boutique hotel options can be found from the village of Bucerias up through Sayulita and San Pancho.
SOURCE: State of Nayarit press release.
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