As Gen Z ditches booze in favour of finding sober ways to celebrate their identities, First Choice has developed a portfolio of LGBTQ+ trips that hero culture, community and meaningful connection. Olivia Palamountain reports

First Choice has partnered with inclusive travel advocate and TV presenter Aidy Smith to launch a range of LGBTQ+ itineraries targeting the growing number of Gen Z travellers embracing sobriety.

The collaboration addresses increasing demand for meaningful, sober-friendly travel options that celebrate identity and connection beyond traditional alcohol-centric events, reflecting Gen Z's approach to Pride as "a year-round mindset" rather than just a month-long celebration.

The new itineraries focus on immersive cultural experiences and community engagement across four LGBTQ+-friendly destinations - New York, Berlin, Amsterdam and Copenhagen - moving beyond traditional alcohol-centric celebrations.
The initiative responds to a cultural shift amongst young people who are exploring sober-curious lifestyles whilst seeking inclusive ways to connect and celebrate their identities through travel. Data shows that 75% of LGBTQ+ travellers now celebrate Pride outside their hometowns.

The curated trips feature alcohol-free experiences including the Variete Gaga Show at Wintergarten in Berlin - "a spectacle of drag, circus, acrobatics, and tongue-in-cheek cabaret" - and sober partying at Prik in Amsterdam, a bar known as a "beacon of queer joy" featuring pop quizzes, drag bingo and karaoke.
Other experiences include queer history walking tours in New York that take visitors from Stonewall to secret drag bars, and neighbourhood strolls through Copenhagen's hip Strædet area, with its LGBTQ+ bookshops, antiques spots and Pride-friendly coffee shops.

Prices start from £214 per person for three nights in Berlin, £282 for Amsterdam, £293 for Copenhagen and £706 for five nights in New York.

To complement the trip portfolio, First Choice and Smith have developed visual city guides featuring curated sober activities for LGBTQ+ travellers, cultural hotspots, inclusive dining options, nightlife alternatives and wellbeing recommendations.