Richard Gray: Gay Tourism Pioneer Continues to Make Waves
Transcription
Richard Gray: Gay Tourism Pioneer Continues to Make Waves
Richard Gray: Gay Tourism Pioneer Continues to Make Waves Royal Palms Owner Helped Create the Area’s Gay Tourism Market By Bill Hawkins When Richard Gray opened his Royal Palms Resort just steps from Fort Lauderdale Beach 10 years ago, he said he wanted to “make a difference” in gay travel. And he’s done just that. While guesthouses have come and gone, Royal Palms is the oldest continuous gay resort in Fort Lauderdale. From only five gay guesthouses 10 years ago, there are now 28 with Gray setting the benchmark in first class quality to which all have aspired. Gray had the first gay business to ever be honored by the City of Fort Lauderdale when it presented it’s 1993 “City Beautification Award” for Royal Palms’ lush landscaping. The Royal Palms has won every major award for excellence in gay travel including the annual “Five Palm Award” from Out & About’s travel picks. Gray was the first local to be named, in 1993, to the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association’s board and served six years as treasurer. In that capacity, he helped promote Fort Lauderdale as a gay destination and helped host an international gay travel convention. He also helped move IGLTA’s headquarters to Fort Lauderdale. Gray pioneered gay tourism promotion through the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, which today earmarks strong financial and marketing backing to an international gay campaign resulting in more than 650,000 gay tourists annually – spending $650 million locally. • Gray is one of the first gay businessmen to sit on the Greater Fort Lauderdale Lodging and Hospitality Association and founded its gay liaison group, the Rainbow Carpet Lodging and Hospitality Alliance, which spends $500,000 annually to promote gay Fort Lauderdale worldwide. “When I started in this business, I didn’t know what to expect or how to even go about some things,” Gray said. “But I learned – fast – and have enjoyed it tremendously.” Born in England and involved with investment banking for many of his early adult years, Gray moved to New York City 18 years ago and took a vacation trip to Fort Lauderdale. It was instant love. “I really liked the climate and met Robert [Clayton] who became my mentor,” Gray explained. He and Clayton shuttled back between New York City and Fort Lauderdale until Gray decided it was time to move here in May 1991. Three months later, he bought an old motel, El Terramar at 2901 Terramar St., and began his vision of what a top gay resort should be. “I had discovered in my own travels very few gay lodgings offering quality service and accommodations,” explained Gray. “The one that stood out was the Oasis Guesthouse in Key West and its owner, the late Graeme Smith, who helped me tremendously get started. I used the top level of service he was providing as a blueprint of what I wanted for Royal Palms.” When the resort opened in October 1991 Richard Gray Richard Gray with nine rooms (it now has 12), it had all the ingredients for success. “We spared nothing in making the gardens lush, the rooms comfortable and going out of our way to make our guests feel they were staying in a friendly, luxury resort,” Gray noted. “I’m a stickler for detail and our entire staff follows that principle.” Details mean changing décor every so often because Gray said not only “do I get bored, but I think guests like to see something different in the rooms.” Gray also loves the lush gardens surrounding the pool and spa. He has more than 1,000 orchids offering splashes of color amidst dozens of tropical plants, statues and waterfalls. More than 10,000 different visitors have stayed at the Royal Palms from more than two dozen countries and Gray credits his link with the IGLTA with having built not only new business associates, but long-lasting personal friendships. “Gay travel has come a long way and it was exciting to be on the cutting edge of its growth and expansion,” he said. “For Fort Lauderdale to continue to succeed as a gay destination, all gay businesses here have to remember that when we sell Fort Lauderdale first, we will all benefit,” he explained. “When tourists visit here, we need to make sure their stay is positive and they go home happy.” And the usual business-driven Gray admits he’s finally happy with himself. With 75 percent of his business now repeat or word of mouth, Gray is taking life at a much slower pace. “I’ve reached a plateau now,” Gray said, noting pleasure with his three-year relationship with Raymond Kelly. “I’m very happy and content and glad that I have been able to contribute in some way to making a difference in gay life here.” www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 22nd, 2001 CYMK 15
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