• More visitors, staying longer
• Gay and lesbian tour provider is sold out
• New visitors from Argentina and Singapore on tours

The “sold out” sign across most of the tour packages for this season’s Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras has put a smile on the face of Mario Paez at Planetdwellers, Australia’s most popular tour operator for international gay and lesbian visitors to Australia.

Booked out packages include Planetdwellers’ “Gaybourhood” walking tours, and day trips to surrounding areas such as the Blue Mountains.

“We haven’t been this busy since 2008,” said Paez (pictured, right). “International bookings are through the roof, with USA bookings more than double since last year’s Mardi Gras, UK bookings up more than 60% and new travellers from Argentina and Singapore.”

Guests are staying longer, with the average stay in Australia now more than two and a half weeks, up from 1.8 weeks last year, and the two most popular post-Mardi Gras cities to visit are Melbourne, topped by Cairns in far north Queensland.

Planetdwellers launched five years ago this March, to show off the best places in Australia via personal tours for international travellers, especially gay and lesbian visitors who appreciate both the local knowledge and sensitivity to their travel needs.

Photo: Anges Costes

“Gay and lesbian tourists want to see the same popular destinations, as well as some unique places for their community. Planetdwellers’ tour guides are up to date with the popular venues, parties, cultural activities and specific locations of the most interest to our gay and lesbian clientele,” said Paez.

“We ensure they make the most of their time in Australia, and hopefully go home and tell all their friends.”
Already for the 2013 Mardi Gras season, Planetdwellers  and their  friends at Out Travel are fielding inquiries and have already taken a booking from a repeat customer, and the company is planning expansion of services over the next year.