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Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto, Canada stands as a beacon of LGBTQ+ inclusion, offering a safe space, literary resources, and vibrant community events in the heart of one of the world’s top queer-friendly cities.

Toronto, Canada, has long been recognized as one of the world’s most welcoming destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers, celebrated for its multicultural identity and diverse queer-owned businesses. At the heart of Toronto’s Church-Wellesley Village, the city’s vibrant queer enclave, stands Glad Day Bookshop—a business that not only serves as a retail space but as a community hub, event venue, and historic symbol of LGBTQ+ resilience and visibility.

Founded in 1970, Glad Day Bookshop is widely recognized as the oldest LGBTQ+ bookstore in the world, providing literature, resources, and safe gathering space for the queer community through decades of social change. The shop’s roots are deeply intertwined with the city’s evolution as a haven for LGBTQ+ rights, having served activists, artists, and everyday people seeking affirmation and connection.

Throughout its history, Glad Day has championed freedom of expression, frequently resisting censorship and legal challenges that targeted queer literature and representation. Its impact goes beyond retail, as it has continually offered a platform for marginalized voices and hosted countless readings, discussions, and celebrations—particularly during Toronto’s annual Pride Festival, one of North America’s largest and most diverse Pride events.

Today, Glad Day Bookshop is more than just a bookstore. It’s a café, bar, and event space, hosting everything from drag brunches to poetry slams and community workshops. The shop’s programming is intentionally inclusive, welcoming all LGBTQ+ identities—including transgender people, nonbinary individuals, and people of color. Glad Day’s commitment to accessibility is evident in its wheelchair-friendly layout and its efforts to provide free or low-cost events for those facing financial barriers.

Glad Day also prioritizes intersectionality, curating literature and events that center on the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized queer communities. This commitment is reflected in its partnerships with local organizations, mental health initiatives, and support groups, which use the bookstore as a gathering place to address issues like discrimination, mental health, and homelessness among LGBTQ+ populations.

Toronto’s status as a top LGBTQ+ travel destination is reinforced by its broad network of inclusive businesses, ranging from restaurants and bars to boutiques and galleries. The Church-Wellesley Village, anchored by Glad Day, draws thousands of visitors each year, especially during Pride Month, when the streets transform into a celebration of diversity and acceptance.

Local businesses frequently display rainbow flags and signage to signal their allyship and commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Glad Day stands out for its longevity and its unwavering dedication to advocacy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Glad Day launched emergency relief funds for queer artists and hospitality workers, further cementing its role as a lifeline for vulnerable community members.

Glad Day’s influence extends beyond Toronto, inspiring LGBTQ+ bookstores and community spaces around the world to adopt similar models of inclusion and activism. Its story is frequently cited in global travel guides and LGBTQ+ destination rankings, positioning Toronto as a must-visit city for queer travelers seeking both celebration and connection.

International organizations, such as Human Rights Campaign and ILGA World, have highlighted the importance of queer-owned businesses like Glad Day in fostering safe spaces and advancing LGBTQ+ rights worldwide. Visitors to Toronto often cite their experience at Glad Day as a highlight, praising the staff’s warmth, the diverse book selection, and the sense of belonging they feel upon entering the space.

In a rapidly changing world, Glad Day Bookshop remains committed to its founding principles of inclusion, activism, and community support. As Toronto continues to attract LGBTQ+ travelers from around the globe, Glad Day stands as a living testament to the power of safe spaces, queer entrepreneurship, and the enduring spirit of Pride.
Ty Oneil and Christopher Weber  Aug 19
3 MIN READ

Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centers reporting fewer visitors compared to last year, especially from abroad, and some officials are blaming the Trump administration’s tariffs and immigration policies for the decline

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by Ty Oneil and Christopher Weber

Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


A surprise mention of Saskatchewan in Chappell Roan’s new hit single has triggered a surge in interest for the Canadian province, prompting the Saskatchewan Tourism Board to launch a targeted campaign.

When Grammy-winning pop artist Chappell Roan released her latest single “The Subway” in early August, few could have predicted the ripple effect it would have on Canadian tourism. In the song, Roan — a celebrated LGBTQ+ icon — playfully references “movin’ to Saskatchewan” as a whimsical solution to heartbreak. This brief lyrical nod has proven powerful, transforming the prairie province into an unexpected viral destination almost overnight .

The Puerto Vallarta City Council has unanimously approved Councilwoman Melissa Madero’s initiative to modify local tourism regulations and officially introduce the “Distintivo I,” a new recognition for tourism establishments that actively foster inclusion

Puerto Vallarta, one of Mexico’s most visited destinations and a renowned haven for LGBTQ+ travelers, has taken a historic step to further cement its reputation as a welcoming city for all. In a council session held this week, local lawmakers voted to approve an initiative by Councilwoman Melissa Madero to amend the city’s Tourism Regulations and create the “Distintivo I”—a formal recognition awarded to businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusion and non-discrimination in their operations .

Blondies Loft + Slushbar, located in Puerto Vallarta’s celebrated Emiliano Zapata neighborhood, stands out as a vibrant and inclusive business at the heart of one of the world’s most queer friendly travel destinations.

Puerto Vallarta, nestled on Mexico’s Pacific coast, has earned its reputation as one of the most progressive and welcoming destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers worldwide. At the center of this vibrant resort city is the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood—affectionately known as Old Town—a lively district renowned for its colorful queer nightlife and inclusive businesses. Among these, Blondies Loft + Slushbar has emerged as a standout establishment, offering a unique blend of fun, community, and affirmation for all who walk through its doors .

Veronika Primm | Travelbinger  Aug 13
3 MIN READ

The reopening of one of Prague’s ultimate luxury hotels marks one of the most significant moments in the city’s recent hospitality history. Formerly the InterContinental Prague, the landmark brutalist building has reopened as the Fairmont Golden Prague after a five-year, $200 million restoration. It is the first Fairmont property in both the Czech Republic and Central Europe.

The reopening of one of Prague’s ultimate luxury hotels marks one of the most significant moments in the city’s recent hospitality history. Formerly the InterContinental Prague, the landmark brutalist building has reopened as the Fairmont Golden Prague after a five-year, $200 million restoration. It is the first Fairmont property in both the Czech Republic and Central Europe.

by Veronika Primm | Travelbinger

Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Sylvie Corbet  Aug 12
3 MIN READ

Swimming in the Seine is an increasingly popular tourist attraction in the French capital, and a must-do for Parisians themselves

PARIS (AP) — Swimming in the Seine is an increasingly popular tourist attraction in the French capital — and a must-do for Parisians themselves. Thousands of people have enjoyed a dip in the river since three public bathing sites opened last month, the first in over a century.

by Sylvie Corbet

Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Best-selling gay cookbook author Coinneach MacLeod, known as the Hebridean Baker, is set to make his television presenting debut this autumn with a four-part culinary travel series, "Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands."

Coinneach MacLeod, the internationally acclaimed author and beloved Hebridean Baker, is stepping out of his cozy Scottish island kitchen and onto the global stage with his first-ever television presenting role. This autumn, audiences will join Coinneach in "Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands," a four-part culinary adventure airing on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer, with versions in both Gaelic and English .

ELLA Festival, one of Europe’s leading events for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people, is set to return to the island of Mallorca from August 29 to September 6, 2025.

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Frankie & Jo’s, a woman and LGBTQIA+-owned dessert shop in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, is redefining what it means to be an inclusive business in a thriving tourist destination.

Seattle’s Capitol Hill is famed for its rainbow crosswalks, vibrant nightlife, and a history of LGBTQ+ activism and acceptance. Among its many queer-owned establishments, Frankie & Jo’s stands out as both a must-visit for tourists and a cornerstone of the local LGBTQ+ community. Founded by Megan Janes and Suzie Barnes-Janes, a wife-and-wife team, Frankie & Jo’s has become a destination for plant-based dessert lovers and those seeking an affirming, inclusive environment in one of the city’s most bustling neighborhoods .