Travel

A group of travel industry associations is teaming up with two entities that have fought against marriage equality and transgender rights.

“Why being different is bad and sex is scary.”

“It’s not a happy and healthy gay-for-all,” he writes, “but it’s not being thrown off tall buildings either.”

The mayors of four West Coast cities say they’re lifting bans imposed on city-funded travel to Indiana after changes were made to that state’s religious objections law to make clear it can’t be used to discriminate.

Indiana tourism agencies are rolling out campaigns emphasizing that everyone is welcome, but it might not be enough to quickly restore the state’s battered image after a backlash over its religious objections law.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy on Saturday lifted their bans on some state-funded travel to Indiana, citing changes made to a religious-objections law that had spurred concern about anti-gay discrimination.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is rescinding a ban on state-funded travel to Indiana after a law that critics said had the potential to discriminate against gays and lesbians based on religious beliefs was amended.

PHOENIX — Destination resorts across Arizona are broadening their marketing strategies since same-sex marriage became legal last month.

Hotels in Phoenix, Sedona and elsewhere are offering discounts or tweaking their advertising to lure same-sex couples, reports the Arizona Republic.

NEW YORK — Forget bad weather, traffic jams and kids asking, “Are we there yet?” The real headache for many travelers is a quickly-growing list of hotel surcharges, even for items they never use. Guaranteeing two queen beds or one king bed will cost you, as will checking in early or checking out late. Don’t need the in-room safe? You’re likely still paying. And the overpriced can of soda …

RICHMOND, Va. — “Richmond is out!” That’s the message of a new tourism campaign aimed at LGBT travelers. The goal is to let them know the city is open, accepting and a great place to visit. The campaign is set to run through October 31 to correspond with the pride festival at the end of September.