Broward County prioritizes inclusive tourism

Broward County prioritizes inclusive tourism

2022-07-13T09:05:34-04:00April 19th, 2022|G.Fort Lauderdale, Tourism|

Visit Lauderdale

Writer: Liz Palmer

broward county tourism2 min read April 2022 — Whether families, singles, couples or members of traditionally marginalized communities, local tourism and hospitality leaders in Broward County want the world to know that Greater Fort Lauderdale is the ideal destination for everyone.  

Efforts by local governments and industry leaders alike have been made in recent years to reframe the region’s appeal. Visit Lauderdale recently changed its tagline to “Everyone Under the Sun” to reflect the diversity of the city’s residents and to continue attracting crowds from all backgrounds. “We’re making drastic changes in the way we market and promote ourselves,” President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale Stacy Ritter told Invest: this year. “Our marketing is becoming edgier to fully portray our diverse community and enhance small and local businesses.” 

An example of the collaboration in the region is the relationship between the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau to house an LGBT Visitor’s Center. “While LGBT+ travelers have many of the same needs as straight travelers, many unique needs exist. This Visitor Center will serve as a place where people can stop in, ask for recommendations and receive information about the community, our member businesses, events and organizations,” said Keith Blackburn, founder, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce in a statement when the center opened. 

Local hospitality providers have taken similar approaches. Delmay and Partners acted as the primary hotel sponsor for PRIDE events last year, providing safe and welcoming lodging and events to those participating in festivities. Attractions such as Sebastian Beach, along with the City of Wilton Manors’ continued efforts to create an environment open to everyone allow the LGBT+ community to exist comfortably, whether as Broward County residents or visitors.  

“Visitors to Greater Fort Lauderdale can be assured they are in a place where diversity, inclusion and acceptance is actively championed as an established way of life that is fully ingrained throughout our community,” Ritter said in a statement last week. 

The strategic approaches by community leaders are paying off. The Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index has extended a perfect score to the city of Fort Lauderdale for the past three years for local decision-makers’ intentionality in making the region an attractive destination for all. 

Overall, the tourism industry in the region is enjoying a strong rebound. Hotel business alone has bounced back in the past few months, even as the omicron variant caused a wave of cancellations in January. According to Visit Lauderdale figures, occupancy in March was at 84.1%, up 4.6% year over year, while tourism development tax contributions in 2021 increased by 94% compared to 2020 and 12.3% from 2019.

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