KOLKATA: Rohan Noronha was more than mildly apprehensive when he started to plan out a vacation in God’s own country, Kerala, with his partner of one year. The prospect of exploring the Kerala backwaters with the love of his life had been a cherished dream for a while now - one that the 34 year old fashion stylist was determined to see through.There was one tiny glitch though. Both Noronha and his partner identify as gay. And in a country which still refuses to recognise same sex love and the draconian section 377 is still to be struck down, his dream was fraught with several socially uncomfortable possibilities that could turn it into a nightmare.Enter Indjapink. Their customised Kerala package didn’t just include the backwaters and houseboats but also gay friendly hotels, gay guides to gay tour leaders and gay friendly chauffeurs as a part of their itinerary and offerings.Started by fashion designer Sanjay Malhotra , the Delhi-based company is one among the many growing brands in the country that are welcoming international, NRI and expat guests from the LGBT community to India.“It is a niche market to explore and people in India, quite contrary to what we believe, are warming up to the idea of hospitality in the LGBT segment. We keep the marketing of our brand subtle in the country but our global partners market it in a big way and we end up conducting 10 to 15 such trips to India a month which include not just gay group holidays but also honeymoon packages,” said Rajat Singla, owner at Delhi-based Pink Vibjyor For Singla, 96% of his clients are gay men and above 45 years old. While the services come at no extra cost and the packages cost as much as any other package in the market, LGBT travellers are spending an average of Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 4 lakh for a normal package extended over a week.Singla is not only organising holidays for the community but also investing in the sector. Putting in investments to the tune of Rs 4 crore, he is all set to start his own chain of gay bed and breakfast facilities in Delhi, Jaipur, Goa and Cochin by early next year. Though Pink Vibjyor and all its sub brands entertain international tourists, Singla has 10% of his clients from India who look for pocket friendly long weekends in the segment.Though hotels in the segment are not anymore an exotic idea, Singla’s upcoming B&Bs already have competition. The Mister and Art House, also founded by Sanjay Malhotra, is one of a kind and a revolutionary boutique hotel in India.Located in the plush area of South Delhi, The Mister and Art House alongside a collection of antiques and homoerotic art, cater only to gay men. The facility gets a full house in the peak season between September and March.Alongside offering gay friendly staff, they also go the extra way by arranging champagne, flowers and Candles lit rooms for their guests.