Gay travellers plump for San Fran

San Francisco has comprehensively topped a poll for the most gay-friendly holiday destination in the US, as it was revealed that a substantial proportion of the gay community make their holiday decision based on factors relating to their sexuality.

Over three-quarters of respondents to a survey by the US Travel Industry Association said that the Californian city was amenable to the needs of gay and lesbian travellers, the vast majority of whom identified safe cities as those where they do not feel uncomfortable holding their partner's hand in public.

Bob Witeck, chief executive of Witeck-Combs Communications, which helped conduct the study, said: "Gay-friendliness is frequently mentioned as a litmus test for how GLBT [gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender] travelers and consumers favor destinations, travel brands and services.

"We find they are not looking for special treatment but instead expect the consideration and equal respect given all customers."

San Francisco has much to offer gay and straight tourists alike; from grand sweeping views of the bay and the colour and character of plush suburban neighbourhoods to world-class shopping, dining and theatre.

As well as the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the city on the northern tip of the peninsula to two major highways in Marin County, San Francisco is home to Alcatraz, the notorious prison from which, officially, nobody ever managed to escape alive.

Now decommissioned, the prison offers many different tours detailing escape attempts and chronicling its movie history.