New York group announces plans for five LGBT hotels by 2012

(G Worldwide)

LGBT travelers are set to get their own hospitality brand later this year with the launch of a new chain catering to the growing market.

New York-based hospitality group G Worldwide intends to build five luxury properties for LGBT travelers across the US in the next two years, the newcompany confirmed this week.

Properties are planned for New York, Florida, California and Las Vegas, the group says on their web page, although their sights are firmly set on the international market.

Described as "beautifully located hotels with uber high-tech facilities," the hotel group is aiming to attract the growing LGBT travel market, as well as "their friends, families and supporters."

The group will officially launch on June 1 at Gay Pride parades across the US, in particular the NYC Pride event, of which G Resorts (and fellow hotel chain W Hotels) is a sponsor.

Further details have not been released on the brand, although the group's website suggests that it is a collaboration between entertainment publicists, music agents and a real estate developer.

Earlier this year, New York developer Parkview said that it intended to build the city's first "heterofriendly" hotel The Out NYC in Hell's Kitchen, now scheduled to open in 2011.

At the time, San Francisco-based market research firm Community Marketing described LGBT travel as a "huge untapped market."

http://www.gresorts.com/