LGBTQ pride is normally a gigantic, festive event that draws thousands of revelers from around the world to dozens of major cities in the month of June. Of course, this year, nothing is happening the way it usually does. The streets will be decidedly quieter as pride parades and events have been canceled or postponed in destinations around the globe.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate. Marriott International, for example, is making it easier for travelers to enjoy pride month through a variety of virtual initiatives at its hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America. Among the most interesting: the hospitality company is sharing a digital collection of locally inspired cocktail recipes that together form a brilliant rainbow. The pride-themed beverages are crafted by various hotels and destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America, to allow guests to toast and celebrate pride from the comfort of their homes.
The initiative spans 11 markets and includes 13 different hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean. Each market is sharing a different colored drink based on local traditions and celebrations. The rainbow list includes Costa Rica (rainbow), Dominican Republic (red), Puerto Rico (orange), Panama (yellow), Brazil (green), Peru (turquoise), Chile (blue), Argentina (purple) Mexico (pink) and Colombia (color-changing).
In addition to the recipe collection, various Marriott International properties will mark the celebrations with local activities. In Costa Rica, the first nation in Central America to recognize and perform same sex marriages, Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort is offering guests a special LGBTQ+ Pride & Joy Couples package that includes a rainforest view room, a welcome amenity with bottle of wine, breakfast for two adults and a resort credit of $100 to use at restaurants, spa or golf. On June 27 in Panama, JW Marriott Panama, W Panama, Residence Inn by Marriott Panama City, Marriott Executive Apartments Panama City, AC Hotel by Marriott Panama City, Panama Marriott Hotel and Sheraton Panama participated with a virtual message celebrating Panama’s LGBTQ+ community. The Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel in Brazil lit up the building façade and participated in community aid initiatives, with a donation to CASA 1 – Center for LGBT Culture and Reception.
“Marriott International has a longstanding commitment to make every traveler feel welcome and comfortable being who they are, everywhere they travel” said Diana Plazas, chief sales and marketing officer for Marriott International in the Caribbean & Latin America. “As a company, we’re elated to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community at all of our properties, both in person and online.”
The various regional initiatives demonstrate the company’s legacy of supporting the LGBTQ+ community around the world. From being the first hotel chain to offer equal same-sex domestic partner benefits in the United States in 1999 to offering a popular travel website serving the LGBTQ+ community, the company believes in the power of love to bridge cultures, inspire discovery, and connect people, places, and purpose worldwide.
The following Caribbean and Latin America properties are featuring a cocktail recipe in the virtual CALA Pride cocktail rainbow:
- Solaz a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos
- W Mexico City
- Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua
- San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
- JW Marriott Panama City
- JW Marriott Rio
- Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel
- Courtyard Lima Miraflores
- Costa Rica Marriott Hacienda Belen
- W Santiago
- Courtyard by Marriott Santiago
- Sheraton Buenos Aires
- Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida, Colombia