In honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Airbnb released a data analysis exploring where its customers are traveling to for Pride events. The report revealed a 300% surge in nights booked by Gen Z guests globally, indicating a broadening of the travel market as more destinations — both traditional and new — attract younger travelers.
“As we head into Pride Month, new Airbnb data reveals a fresh wave of travelers are shaping the landscape of global Pride celebrations,” the press release from Airbnb reads. “From spectators to trailblazers, Gen Z travelers are exploring new spaces for the LGBTQ+ community to come together.”
Millennials continue to lead bookings to traditional Pride celebration destinations, maintaining their strong presence and celebrating in familiar spaces, while Gen Z is exploring both the newer Pride celebrations and traditional ones.
Qnotes has collected the list of cities where Gen Z folks are flocking to this year to celebrate Pride based on Airbnb’s data.
New York, New York
Airbnb’s data indicates one of the most popular destinations for Pride celebrations among Gen Z individuals is New York City, where most argue the LGBTQ+ equality movement was born.
The NYC Pride March, which started in 1970 after the Stonewall Uprising, is one of the most attended Pride events in the entire United States, with last year’s event bringing nearly 2 million people out to the streets of the Big Apple.
The website reads:
“The inaugural March took place in 1970, one year after the Stonewall Uprising, and has since evolved into an annual civil rights demonstration. Its purpose has expanded over time to encompass raising awareness about the fight against AIDS and honoring those we have lost to illness, violence, and neglect.”
This year’s march is set to take place on June 30 and will start at 25th Street and 5th Avenue. You can register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-nyc-pride-march-registration-767785476027.
Cleveland, Ohio
Pride in the CLE Festival and March in Cleveland, Ohio, was another one of the favorite Pride travel spots for Gen Z travelers, according to Airbnb.
This year’s event took place on June 1, bringing thousands of folks to the Cleveland area. According to reporting from Fox 8, more than 7,000 people registered for the Pride walk and even more attended the festival.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb participated in this year’s march, later sharing this message on X (formerly Twitter):
“#PrideInTheCLE isn’t just a celebration; it’s a powerful statement of visibility, acceptance, and the ongoing fight for equality. Our city welcomes everyone to celebrate who they are!”
Next year’s Pride in the CLE is scheduled for June 7. More information can be found at https://lgbtcleveland.org/pride/.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is one of the top destinations for Gen Z LGBTQ+ folks and allies this year. The city has a month filled with events, ranging from drag brunches and the “PRIDE Month Kickoff Kiki” to art and historical exhibits.
One of the most highly anticipated events is Pridefest, which doesn’t happen until September 14 this year. Richmond is known for its inclusive environment, with a perfect Municipal Equality Index score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign.
Pridefest is a collaborative event hosted by multiple sponsoring organizations and is expected to draw thousands to the capital city of Virginia. For more information, go to https://www.diversityrichmond.org/virginia-pride.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Our own city of Charlotte was dubbed as one of the most popular Pride destinations for Gen Z travelers, according to the Airbnb release.
Over 260,000 people clad in every color of the rainbow strolled down Tryon Street and through Uptown Charlotte at last year’s two day festival. Pride weekend was filled with many events, with the most highly attended being the festival. Hundreds of tents lined Tryon Street and adjoining roads, each attended to by various vendors, LGBTQ+ rights organizations and more.
One of the biggest traditions at Charlotte Pride is Sunday’s Pride parade, which broke records with over 200 contingents, more than 40 floats, and roughly 10,000 participants.
This year’s Charlotte Pride will take place on August 17 and August 18. More information can be found at https://charlottepride.org/.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida, is one of the most traveled cities in the country, and for Gen Z, it’s a premier Pride vacation destination.
Every October on National Coming Out Day, Orlando hosts the Come Out With Pride festival, the city’s annual Pride celebration. Last year saw over 220,000 guests, making Orlando’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride celebration one of the largest in the American Southeast and in Florida.
The website for the event states the following:
“Every October, we gather around National Coming Out Day, knowing that for many, Pride may be the one day of the year people can live their true authentic selves … Pride is so much more than just a party. Through our Pride celebration and year round initiatives, we want to guide people to help the organizations and causes that are making a significant impact.”
More information can be found at https://comeoutwithpride.org/.
Miami, Florida
Miami remains one of the largest tourist spots in Florida and for Pride, it was a hit among Gen Z attendees.
The city held its annual Pride celebration in April, welcoming thousands of folks to the beachfront city. Some events at the Pride celebration included the iconic parade, live performances, cultural exhibitions and more.
The parade, renowned for its colorful floats, dazzling costumes, and high-energy atmosphere, wound its way through the heart of South Beach, drawing thousands of participants and spectators.
For more information on next year’s event, you can go to https://www.miamibeachpride.com/.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan Pride is Puerto Rico’s most highly anticipated Pride event, and for Gen Z, it’s one of the hottest events to travel to per the Airbnb data analysis.
Folks donned their favorite hot weather-friendly queer gear and joined San Juan’s LGBTQ+ community at this major, official Pride Month celebration. The festival kicked off with a parade, filled with rainbow-colored floats, people on stilts and roller skates, go-go dancers, drag personalities and more.
Next year’s event doesn’t have a date yet.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Despite being located in a rather conservative state, Salt Lake City, Utah, has made the list as one of the most traveled to cities for Gen Z folks traveling for Pride celebrations.
SLC Pride is one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the state and welcomes thousands of people to Utah’s capital city. The two-day festival is slated for June 29 and June 30, with an entire weekend filled with queer, trans and ally-owned vendors, performers, a parade and more.
More information can be found at https://www.slc-pride.org/.
West Hollywood, California
WeHo Pride is one of the largest Pride celebrations in the U.S., and in 2024, it was one of the most traveled to Pride festivals by Gen Z folks.
Held annually in early June, WeHo Pride features a wide range of events that highlight the creativity and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. The centerpiece of the celebration is the Pride Parade, a colorful procession which draws tens of thousands of participants and spectators.
Beyond the parade, WeHo Pride offers a variety of activities and events throughout the weekend. The festival grounds host live music performances, dance parties, art exhibits, and food vendors, creating a lively and festive environment. The event also includes educational and advocacy-focused programming, such as panel discussions, workshops, and resource fairs, aimed at addressing important issues within the LGBTQ+ community and promoting awareness and support.
More information can be found at https://www.weho.org/community/weho-pride.