Vicky Garcia
Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners, who married her partner of more than 10 years in New York in December 2013, shares her personal and professional perspectives on Florida's legalization of same-sex marriage with senior editor Kate Rice.
Q: What was it like for you to be able to marry your long-time partner?
A: It is so monumental. We were going to go simple with our wedding. But because it was our wedding, I swear, I spent more on 25 people than I would have on 200 people. But I did it because it was my wedding. We planned it around Travel Weekly's [Readers Choice Awards] in December so I knew Michelle Fee [co-founder and CEO of Cruise Planners] would be there so I could have Michelle be my friend of honor. And I had Vicki Freed [senior vice president, sales and trade support and service, Royal Caribbean International] and Edie Bornstein [COO and president of Crystal Cruises, now Edie Rodriguez] there; they were my family because of the way this industry is. We never really celebrated a major anniversary; there was a date, but it was kind of a loosey-goosey date. Now it's Dec. 16. It was that special to be able to do it. The times are changing.
Q: What impact do you think the legalization of same-sex marriage will have on Florida?
A: As much as it's a very Republican state and kind of conservative, the people of Florida, especially South Florida, thought it was time. It's a great opportunity for travel. People can get married and stay in a great tourism destination or combine it with a cruise. South Florida especially has always been a very popular gay and lesbian destination. Both Miami and Fort Lauderdale have won so many awards from the media as a great gay destination. And you look at Orlando -- Disney is one of the most gay-friendly places on Earth. And now, with nuptials legal, for local businesses, be it restaurants or nightclubs or halls for parties, now you have more people booking more weddings. People buy jewelry and rings. When we got married, we got big rings. When Carol and I got together 13 years ago, we did buy rings. But it was something to exchange rings.
Q: Has Cruise Planners worked to develop this market?
A: We've been, as a company, focusing on the LGBT market for probably the last two-and-a-half, three years. We saw a great opportunity. We wanted to learn, No. 1, where LGBT people can travel safely and market to them the right way. When we first introduced it [at the Cruise Planners annual convention], we had two training sessions and attracted maybe 50 people each. Last year, we did two sessions and we had standing room only for both in a room that held 140 people, and people who hadn't signed up came anyway. We put out a survey to see if members wanted to be on an advisory board. And we got responses like "I'm not gay, but my son just came out and I want to support him." Or they were straight women whose friends may be gay or have a Pride Center [an LGBT organization] near their home. There's just a lot more awareness.
Q: How are you positioning your marketing?
A: No. 1, it was "Let's learn where LGBT people can travel safely." When talking to this market you have to position yourself the right way. LGBT people want to see marketing that is inclusive of them -- no LGBT flyer, your marketing materials should naturally encompass them.