Studies have long shown that gay and lesbian individuals tend to spend more on their vacations than their heterosexual counterparts, but with the slowing economy and higher gas prices hitting everyone equally, a new study shows that gays are cutting back on the spending less than heterosexual travelers.

According to a recent national survey, 38 percent of gay and lesbian adults report they are absolutely certain or very likely to take their vacations as planned this year, compared with 34 percent of their heterosexual counterparts.
In addition, one quarter (25%) of gays and lesbians said they were absolutely certain or very likely to take a vacation by air this year, while only 19 percent of heterosexuals would do so.

"The strong appetite for travel often is highlighted among gays and lesbians,” said Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications, and co-author of the study with Harris Interactive. "Though gay consumers are not more affluent than others, they appear to consistently budget more discretionary dollars towards travel, even during downturns in the economy such as we face now," said Witeck.

Still, the new research does not bode well for the economy -- or for extended vacations. When asked whether they might decide to shorten their vacation, a slightly larger proportion of gays and lesbians – 18 percent -- were absolutely certain or very likely to do so while 15% of heterosexual adults similarly said they would do so.

Given the backdrop of record high gasoline prices this summer, when the question was asked whether this year’s vacation might be taken by car, nearly a third (32%) of gay and lesbian respondents were absolutely certain or very likely to take a car, while 28 percent of heterosexuals were absolutely certain or very likely to do so.
 
The new nationwide survey of 2,772 U.S. adults, (ages 18 and over), of whom 275 self identified as gay or lesbian (which includes an oversample of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults), was conducted online between May 5 and 12, 2008, by Harris Interactive.