Mr. Hudson, a Pioneering LGBT Travel Website Launches - Site to Focus on Expanding Travel Options for Gay Men

London, United Kingdom, February 16, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​​Mr. Hudson, a pioneering travel site for discerning gay men, launched today. The site, mrhudsonexplores.com, offers handpicked hotels backed-up by in-depth features and curated guides for carefully selected global destinations. All content has been created by professional style, art, travel, design and food writers and photographers.

“As someone who has worked in the tourism industry, and as a gay man who has traveled extensively, I was frustrated by the lack of relevant content about up-and-coming destinations, or hidden gems in larger cities. My experience with current hotel booking sites has been that it is hard to find the property that is just right, because of the sheer amount of options in each destination, and LGBT travel sites tend to concentrate mainly on the gay ‘party scene’. There was a gap in the market, and consequently, the inspiration for Mr. Hudson was born”, said founder Bastiaan Ellen. “Mr. Hudson focuses on premium experiences rather than the standard gay travel options commonly found in today’s tourism industry. I wanted to see, in one place, the very best a destination has to offer, from the most beautiful hotels to the best restaurants, where to find the most stylish menswear shopping, and that is what Mr. Hudson provides.”

My experience with current hotel booking sites has been that it is hard to find the property that is just right, because of the sheer amount of options in each destination, and LGBT travel sites tend to concentrate mainly on the gay 'party scene'. There was a gap in the market, and consequently the inspiration for Mr Hudson was born.

Bastiaan Ellen, Founder

“Mr. Hudson was inspired by the 17th-century British explorer whose pioneering travels encouraged and inspired the first settlers to the New World. The time is really prescient to launch this site, as more and more countries now recognize same-sex relationships. Travel has become decidedly more accessible for gay couples, and in some places is actively encouraged”, continued Ellen.

The LGBT community represents a global market that is now valued at more than US$200 billion annually*. A recent Community Marketing & Insights survey stated**: “Major hotel brands are now LGBT-friendly. Today, instead of the influence of a favorable LGBT reputation being a primary reason to book a hotel, hotel location and quality are the two most motivating factors for hotel selection.” The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reinforces this view ***;  “It has been observed that when marriage rights were approved, many of the first people to ‘tie the knot’ are older, consolidated couples who will have different leisure interests to younger, single travelers who, until now, were the most visible segment of the LGBT travel market.”

“Initial feedback from hoteliers and site visitors has been hugely favorable, and we look forward to adding features in the near future, like a booking engine, user-generated content, and a gay travel community.”​

Notes:
* Source: Out Now Global LGBT2030 consumer spend data
** CMI Annual Survey on LGBT Tourism & Hospitality, December 2015, download link 
*** UNWTO Global Report on LGBT Tourism, AM Reports, Volume three, January 2012, download link

ENDS
 

About Mr Hudson: Mr Hudson is about destinations and travel inspiration for gay men, but not necessarily ‘gay’ destinations. Mr Hudson has identified exceptional experiences beyond the borders of the traditional gay scene, and it curates unique places where a warm welcome can be expected. Whether it is an upscale boutique hotel in the Chueca district of Madrid, or a rustic farmhouse with an olive-pressing course held in the grounds, Mr Hudson will inspire, encourage and inform the discerning gay traveler.

About Bastiaan Ellen: a seasoned travel and e-commerce marketing expert for over two decades, who has held senior international positions at Expedia, Thomas Cook and eBay. 

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