Thomson has launched a new service designed for gay travellers, thereby staking a claim to be the first mainstream UK tour operator to offer same-sex package holidays. The Freedom Collection features hotels in seven ‘pink’ destinations, including some gay-only properties.

The Freedom Collection holidays is ATOL protected and comes with a full overseas service, including a holiday advisor who’ll offer inside information on the local area. 

The hotels, which include some Gay Exclusive properties, are spread across seven ‘pink’ destinations, all of which have either well-established or blossoming gay scenes.

Accommodation ranges from budget to boutique bolthole, and all have the GayComfort seal of approval before customers arrive.

GayComfort is an online accreditation programme which means that frontline hotel staff have had special training to help strip out the difficulties that often associated with same-sex holidays, such as a same-sex couple checking in and staff assuming that they would want a twin instead of a double.

Thomson Innovation manager, Philippa Morgan, says: “This is a hugely exciting launch for Thomson. There’s definitely an appetite in the market for gay-friendly holidays that come with the security and peace of mind that only a big tour operator can offer.”

Philippa continues: “The reason we’ve taken this approach is because research has shown that three out of four gay or lesbian holidaymakers actively search out hotels they believe are genuinely welcoming.”