Pink Money has great power all over the world and even more in Gran Canaria and Maspalomas because the economic development of the island depends directly on it. They all want you as a customer, and the way you spend your money has a big impact on the business and local tourism. But how to be sure to make the best use of it ?
In Gran Canaria, it is said that gay tourism represents 15% of the island's tourist revenue. In 2015, 600,000 visitors per year spent 600 million euros on the island, but these figures have increased considerably since then, and in 2022, it was said to be 960 million euros for the whole of the Canary Islands**, about 30% more in seven years. And today, it is even more !
They all want your money, from your first day in Maspalomas until the last minute of your stay. They all call you "Amigo", smile at you, and want you to choose them to spend your cash. They all put the gay flag on their windows when Pride is coming, and all say they are gay-friendly. But in exchange for your pink money what do they really offer you ? Is a nice smile enough ?
They call "Pink Money" the amounts spent by gay customers in services and products to satisfy their way of life. And it is all the more important since, according to the estimates, LGBTQ+ people have a purchasing power 30% higher than the average population.
Even if they don't like to recognise it, Gran Canaria and Maspalomas depend on gay tourism
Regarding the importance of gay tourism on the island, we just would like to ask a few questions. Is it fair for you to spend a week's vacation in a hotel that refuses to distribute gay information to its guests and that does not offer any gay excursions or gay shows ? Is it right to eat in a restaurant or buy in a shop that has never agreed to promote itself in a gay guide or magazine and refuse to support the gay events all year long ? Is it fair to choose a brand or company that pretends all its customers are heterosexual and only shows you pictures of male-female couples in its advertisements, even in Maspalomas ? They say that there are more than 200 hundred gay-friendly businesses at the Yumbo Centre, but where is their collaboration on gay tourism prosperity ?
Everyone benefits from your money when you visit Maspalomas, and only a very few of them think about getting involved in the community and being accountable to gay travelers. If you buy in a bazaar or eat in a cheap restaurant that never cares about the gay community, do you think you are making the best use of your pink money ?
In Maspalomas, gay tourism saves several economic sectors and several periods of the year from disaster
Hotels, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, taxis, car rentals, real estates and shopping stores are the sectors that profit the most from your gay money during your vacation, but how many of them really recognise your importance and your existence as an LGBTQ+ member ? How many of them thank you by supporting your identity and showing their solidarity ? How many of them offer services really adapted to your way of life ? While pink money represents 30% of the island's income and gay events like Gay Pride, Winter Pride, Bear Carnival, or Fetish Pride really save from disaster several months or weeks of the year. Even the municipality does nothing for you, not even a welcome message, a gay flag, or a gay symbol in the city streets...
How to be sure to make the best use of your pink money ?
To be sure to make the best use of your pink money in Maspalomas, the only way is just to check if the place where you are is really concerned by the gay community and if it is a real partner of gay tourism rather than a fake. So you can be sure you make the best use of your money and that your euros go to a company or a person that deserves it. It's simple but very efficient. When you go shopping, choose a real gay-friendly business, one that supports the gay community, not a store that is limited to placing the flag when the Pride comes.
Some easy tips to follow :
Check if the business is listed in a gay guide
Check if the business uses to sponsor a gay event
Give always preference to a small business instead of a major company or a franchise
Give preference to businesses managed by gay owners
Check if the gay flag is placed the right way and not upside down
Check if the business makes accessible some information about Maspalomas Gay Tourism
And you ? What are the tips you use to be sure to make the best use of your pink money ? Write your advices in comment just below.
Source : Gran Canaria Info* | Travel media**
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