Cape Town named among world’s top gay-friendly destinations

Two surveys conducted by gay dating and travel app SCRUFF, with over 10 million subscribers, have named Cape Town as one of the fifth most “surprisingly gay-friendly” destinations in the world.

The results are based on nearly 5 000 responses. The first survey looked at overall travel trends among gay men, and the second, in collaboration with The New York Times Travel Section, asked where they like to travel and why.

The polls looked at what were termed “off-the-beaten-path” destinations and took into account perceptions of safety. The results indicated that gay men generally travel more and spend more when they do than the general population, and also that they are more likely to travel alone and all year round.

“South Africa has a reputation for tolerance, and Cape Town is known for so many entertainment, restaurant and accommodation choices that cater specifically for LGBT visitors as well as a vast array of interesting things to see and do across the city throughout the year,” commented Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy.

“This is a niche tourism market that is well-catered for,” he added.

Cape Town Tourism noted that the city is also popular as a honeymoon destination, as it is full of romantic restaurants and wedding venues, and there are churches and ministers that conduct same-sex weddings.

Cape Town’s latest accolade helps to cement the Mother City’s reputation as a global destination for visitors. In 2016 alone, three other honours have given the city boasting rights.

The 2015-16 Telegraph Travel Awards chose Cape Town as Best City (for the fourth year running), while in Condé Nast’s Reader’s Choice Awards it took the honour as the number one food city in the world for 2016.

Cape Town was also named Luxury City Destination of the Year for the second consecutive year in the Luxury Travel Guide Africa & Middle East Awards 2016.

In April, Cape Town hosted the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGLTA) 33rd Global Conference; the first time the event was held on the continent.

Here are the top destinations chosen in the SCRUFF surveys:

#1 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico AND Tel Aviv, Israel
#2 Ongonquit, Maine AND Lisbon Portugal
#3 Rehoboth Beach, Delaware AND Saugutuck, Michigan
#4 Beirut, Lebanon AND Budapest, Hungary
#5 Willimstead, Curacao AND Salt Lake City, Utah AND Cape Town, South Africa