Skift Take

We don’t know why the page was removed and Visit Florida won’t say. But it could hurt already strained relations with the LGBTQ community and it doesn’t make sense from a marketing perspective.

Visit Florida has taken down its "LGBTQ Travel" page, a decision that could further damage relations with the LGBTQ community. And at least one other destination marketing organization in the state – Visit Lauderdale – has publicly distanced itself from the move. 

The page removal was first noted by Rachel Covello, who runs the travel blog OutCoast. The blog had been featured on the Visit Florida page, which provided information on beaches, destinations, businesses, and museums friendly to LGBTQ travelers.

Covello contacted Visit Florida but didn't get clarity about the removal. "Nobody's owning the decision that was made," Covello told Skift. 

Visit Florida did not respond to Skift’s multiple requests for comment, which included three emails and two phone calls. The page's removal was first reported by NBC News.

Visit Florida had previously worked to build strong bonds with LGBTQ tourism groups. 

"We supported LGTBQ travel for a long t