Carlos Melia, meeting with the beautiful face of gay tourism

Oct. 04 2013

by Marc Dedonder

Between Buenos Aires and New York City, where he divides the time his travels leave him, Carlos Melia also maintains a travel blog and writes regularly for the international gay press. He was also Mr. Gay International in 2008.

We met him during his recent visit to Paris, on the occasion of a promotional tour for the city of Buenos Aires. The city wants to ride the wave of the adoption of gay marriage and attract a new gay clientele. For this, it has just joined the services of Carlos Melia.

Photo: Carlos Melia at El Calafate glacier in Patagonia © CM by Carlos Melia

Carlos, you run a gay travel agency, you write in many gay magazines, you have your own blog dedicated to gay travel. How did you become an expert in gay tourism?
Carlos Melia: It took a lot of hard work, passion, and a lot of money invested in travel to be able to guarantee my clients, "I've been there, this is what I did there". I grew up in the travel business, my father and brother are airline pilots. I love this nomadic lifestyle, I can't get enough of it.

I belong to the old school of travel agents, the ones who can advise you based on their own experiences. Not a ticket salesman, sitting behind his desk, who doesn't know about a hotel, a restaurant or a destination what his intranet tells him. That makes all the difference, and that's what makes me different.

You are a consultant for the city of Buenos Aires. What is your role?
CM: For the past year I have been involved in gay marketing and consulting. I want to put my knowledge of the gay market at the service of companies that want to reach the gay target. My first clients are the tourist office of Buenos Aires and Mr. Gay World. I help them with their communication, image development and public relations.
I am currently finishing a promotional tour of Buenos Aires that has taken us to Spain, Switzerland and France. The idea is to show all that Buenos Aires has to offer to gays in terms of social openness, culture, leisure, tourism, especially since the adoption of gay marriage!

Would you say that Buenos Aires is the new gay-friendly destination in the southern hemisphere?
CM: It has been for 5 years already! It's not new. We are the most gay-friendly destination in South America. And it's not me who says it, but all the experts and travelers who have come to Buenos Aires. The passage of gay marriage last July put Buenos Aires and Argentina on the front pages of newspapers around the world. But we were already the first country in Latin America to offer a civil union to gay couples. All of this shows that we not only accept diversity but we practice it. This makes us different from Brazil or other South American destinations...

Photo: In Venice in June 2013 © CM by Carlos Melia

Some self-proclaimed "gay-friendly" hotels are not gay at all. How do you think we can recognize a real gay-friendly hotel?
CM: Many tourism companies are chasing "pink money". It's up to the experts, like me, to sort it out. For my part, I test all the hotels, all the tours, all the restaurants and all the services that I offer to the clients of my travel agency. My credibility is at stake.
Being gay is OK. But from my point of view, it's also OK for a hotelier to not want to host gays. He just has to be honest and say so. I don't think it's discrimination, it's honesty. But if you're going to cater to gays, then you have to know the clientele. Mind you, gays are not aliens either. We don't have any special needs, just respect, an open mind and honesty.
So I would say that a real gay friendly hotel is one where everyone, from the owner to the staff, is comfortable with gay guests. It's not related to its location, its style, its design, its services, even less to flashy pubs. Gay travelers are no fools and will spot these gimmicks right away.

On your blog, you talk about "hotels with attitude"?
CM: I like to put labels on things. A "hotel with attitude" for me is a hotel that reflects the soul of a destination. An experience in itself. There's nothing more impersonal than staying in a hotel that doesn't tell you anything about a destination. Those hotels that are the same whether you are in Tokyo or Machu Pichu. Where the employees are dressed in the same way, with the same de rigueur smile. I prefer boutique hotels, small hotels, bed and breakfasts or design hotels. There is something for everyone. these are "hotels with attitude".

Thanks to your activities, you have been able to travel everywhere. What are the places that have impressed you the most?
CM: I am very lucky. At 36 years old, I've already been around the world twice. I would say that the places that have marked me the most are India, Iran, the north of Argentina (Tucuman, Salta and Jujuy), Australia and South Africa. But I'm maturing, and I'm learning to appreciate places I wouldn't have paid attention to before. I'm blown away by this visit to Paris, for example, when I had already been there five times. So I want to add Paris to that list.

What do you think is the perfect city to party in?
CM: Hmm, tough question. I'll name 3 cities, it will be easier. The perfect triangle would be New York, Sao Paulo and Barcelona. In these 3 cities, they know what partying is and you are never disappointed. Plus, these cities know how to cater to gays.

In which city do you find the most beautiful boys?
CM: It's hard to answer... But as I'm quite attracted to the Arab or Middle Eastern type, I would say Istanbul.

The city where you would like to fall in love?
CM: The cliché would be to answer Paris, right? But no, I would say Venice. This city is magical. Everything is so romantic, the architecture, the food, the canals. It's a place that invites you to go deep and in love, it forces you to let your guard down.

In which city would you like to get married?
CM: Buenos Aires, of course. First, because everyone has the same rights now. Secondly, because they know how to make great parties. Also because Argentina is the perfect place for a honeymoon, in the south, with the glaciers, the lakes, the mountains, or in the north with the Iguazu Falls and the vineyards. And with the exchange rate of the peso, a wedding costs three times less than in Europe or the United States.

What do you think is the most gay-friendly city in the world?
CM: Again, I'm torn between 3 cities. I would say Madrid, Sydney and Oslo. Not only for their tolerance and open-mindedness, but also because of the laws, the recognition of the gay community and the importance of associations.

Where do you feel at home?
CM: In many places. Buenos Aires is my birthplace, my platonic love, where I always return. But I feel at home in Madrid, London, Panama City, Cape Town or Bombay.

Photo: Carlos Melia, elected Mr. Gay International in 2008 © CM by Carlos Melia

What are your favorite places in the world?
A hotel? Rio Hermoso Hotel (in San Martin de los Andes, Argentina). This is exactly the place I dream of. The place, the staff, the food, the rooms, everything is perfect, down to the last detail.
A bar? I really like the Sky Bar at theAxel Hotel in Barcelona, the cocktails, the music, the panoramic view and the clientele.
A restaurant?I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but the one that will always remain engraved in my memory was located near my hotel in Bocas del Toro, on an island in Panama. A quiet, beautiful place with an incredible view from the terrace, with the moon reflected in the sea. I ate the best fish of my life there. Simple and perfect.
A club? The Week in Sao Paulo or Rio. The best club in the world.

You divide your time between Buenos Aires and New York. What are your favorite addresses in these 2 cities?
A bar in New York ?Rock It @ Quo. Here is a place that moves, always crowded, with good music and very good cocktails
A bar in Buenos Aires?Isabel. Chic, good music, good atmosphere, great cocktails, mixed clientele.
A restaurant in New York?The River Cafe, under the Brooklyn Bridge. In addition to the food and atmosphere, the views of the New York skyline are breathtaking.
A restaurant in Buenos Aires? Tegui, without hesitation. Chic, cozy, very classy.
A hotel in New York?Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca, signed by Robert De Niro. A boutique hotel, very intimate, very stylish.
A hotel in Buenos Aires? Design CE Hotel. Well located, a "hotel with attitude", reasonable prices, very design. And very gay-friendly.
A club in New York? There aren't really any clubs in New York anymore, more like parties or events. But if I had to name one, I would say Club 57, or the Alegria parties.
A club in Buenos Aires? Human Club or the very famous Palacio Alsina. Those are two very good clubs to have fun.
A boutique in New York? I'm pretty casual so I won't be too original: let's say H&M, Armani Exchange or Old Navy.
A store in Buenos Aires?El Burgues. My favorite shirts! Trendy, quality, good prices. Located in the Palermo Soho neighborhood.

What would you recommend to someone who arrives in Buenos Aires or New York City to feel the atmosphere of these two cities?
CM: In Bunenos Aires, you MUST go to the Recoleta cemetery, visit the Barrio Parque neighborhood and discover the rose garden in Palermo Park. A must-see. And there is a building to see: the Kavanagh.

In New York, the best thing to do is to cycle up the Hudson River, passing by Riverside Park, Chelsea, Harlem Park, Fairway Market and Cherry Walk. And finish with a picnic under the George Washington Bridge, next to the lighthouse.

What item do you always take with you when you travel?
CM: My Mac. Since I'm always on the road, it's the only way to stay in touch with my family, friends, blog readers, clients and work.

You were elected Mr. Gay International in 2008. What did it mean to you?
CM: It was an exciting experience. It opened a lot of doors for me, and it closed a lot of doors for me! It was the price to pay, I guess, to be in the spotlight. Anyway, I did my best, I tried to help associations, charities. Today, I represent Mr. Gay World in Central and South America. The next election will take place in March 2011 in Manila, Philippines. It is not a beauty contest, we are looking for an ambassador who will be the voice of the gay community for a year, defending its values, its rights, supporting associations and events.

What is your next trip?
CM: I will soon be leaving for Dubai and India, at the invitation of the tourist offices of these two countries and the Clés d'or(the union of hotel concierges, editor's note). Then, I'm going to cover the gay wedding in the sky, organized by the Scandinavian airline SAS in one of its planes, between Stockholm and New York.

Finally, could you share with our readers one of the pictures taken during one of your recent trips?
CM: This photo was taken in September 2013: