One of the Most Gay-Friendly Places to Stay on Earth

New Zealand is one of the top three most gay-friendly travel destinations, according to Lonely Planet. In 1998, New Zealand was the first country to adopt the label of ‘Gay/Lesbian Friendly’ when referring to businesses and accommodation – an initiative now recognised globally.

“The Land of the Long White Cloud has long been lauded for its inclusive and progressive behaviour toward the LGBTQ community,” the publication says.

“The country offers a brilliant network of gay- and lesbian-friendly homestays which run the length and breadth of the country from the top of the semi-tropical North Island to the depths of the glacial South. Since passing same-sex marriage laws in 2013, New Zealand has actively promoted same-sex marriage tourism to the likes of Australia and other Pacific nations where equality laws are less progressive.”

Original article by Chris Zeiher, Lonely Planet, October 20, 2014.