Two gay tour companies call it quits

The Canary Islands could be a little less gay this winter after two of Britain’s leading tour companies went belly-up this week. Respect Holidays and Throb Holidays said they were devastated by the sudden collapse of leisure carrier XL Airways, the world’s gayest-sounding airline and a major provider of cheap seats to the remote islands. As two of the leading packagers for gay vactioners in the U.K., Throb and Respect were an important link in the tourism chain for both Gran Canaria and Tenerife, leaving hotels, restaurants and other businesses there worried about a drop in customers just as the crucial winter season kicks in.

Impact: Travel agents may find great peak-season hotel deals for independent travelers looking to try something new this winter.