Two of the most successful gay operators bringing tourists to Gran Canaria have gone out of business in the space of just one week, Phil Jackson reports. In the space of just one week, two of Britains best-known tour operators specialising in the gay market have had to call it a day, forced out of business by pressures affecting the whole travel industry during the worldwide credit crunch including the recent closure of the British arm of XL Airways. And with Gran Canaria being top of the list of favourite destinations for both operators, there are now fears that the islands gay tourism will be affected during the crucial winter months. First came news on Monday 15th September that UK-based Throb Holidays had gone out of business, its official website stating: It is with regret that we have to inform you that, despite our best efforts, Throb Holidays Ltd has ceased trading. As a result of the collapse of XL Airways / XL Leisure Group (who were our main flight provider) we have unfortunately been unable to contain the damage this causes us in both the immediate term and in the future. Then, just four days later and following various rumours regarding the future of its Los Almendros flagship complex in Playa del Ingles, news came that London-based Respect Holidays had also ceased trading. Respect, which specialised in providing the gay community with package holidays in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Mykonos, Sitges and Ibiza, was one of the best-known names in gay tourism, and had been particularly successful here in Gran Canaria for a number of years. Travel industry website TravelMole had this to say: The Civil Aviation Authority has been called in to protect holidaymakers booked with the company which traded as Respect Holidays... The CAA is making arrangements for holidaymakers abroad to complete their holidays and fly back to the UK as planned. But those with advance bookings will not be able to travel and need to make a claim for a refund of their lost holiday. Later the same day, the Respect Holidays website was withdrawn, replaced by a message from company director Paul Kilcoyne, who stated: It is with regret and sadness that, after ten years at the forefront of the gay holiday industry, I am left with no option other than to close Respect Holidays. It is no secret that a combination of oil price uncertainty, the weakness of Sterling and the general economic downturn has hit the travel business very hard indeed. Respect held substantial flying contracts with Excel Airways and, since Excel ceased trading, Respect has suffered significant financial losses. BAD TIMING The loss of both Throb and Respect comes at a crucial time for Gran Canarias gay tourism industry, which traditionally benefits during the winter months. The beginning of October onwards usually sees tens of thousands of gay tourists from all over Europe arriving in Gran Canaria, most staying in the Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas areas and making the most of the predominantly gay bars and businesses located in the Yumbo Centre. And already there are fears that the closure of two of the biggest names in gay tour operators will have a knock-on effect locally. One Yumbo-based bar manager, who asked to remain anonymous, told Round Town News: The last thing we need is bad news from the gay tourist industry at this time of the year. The next few months are when those of us who rely on gay customers take enough money to keep us going during the leaner summer months. If this winter sees a downturn in the gay trade, I dread to think what the consequences might be for many of us in 2009. Meanwhile, customers of Throb Holidays who had already booked a holiday at Villas Blancas, a popular gay holiday complex in Maspalomas, have been told that their bookings will be honoured. According to the community website gaytravellersnetwork.com, Villas Blancas is honouring all reservations made through Throb Holidays by passengers travelling to the resort over the next weeks and months. Throb customers can find out more by sending an email to: info@villasblancas.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it So what does the future now hold for Gran Canarias vital gay tourism? Well, its certainly true that not all gay tourists visiting the island book their holidays through gay tour operators, so it remains to be seen just how severe an effect the loss of both Throb and Respect will have during the coming months. But the closure of two such previously successful gay holiday companies in the space of just one week will leave many local business owners pondering just what the future holds.

Gay Tourism to Gran canaria hit by Closers