November 30th, 2006, 12:29
Texans want the gay dollar
November 30, 2006 - 9:48AM
The Old West is old news.
That's the word from Dallas tourism officials attempting to lure gay and lesbian visitors with a message that the city is a great place for them to spend their time and money.
"Big D" is a diverse metropolitan area that "has left behind stereotypes of big-haired women and rowdy cowboys - that is, unless you count sassy drag queens and strapping gay rodeo champs," according to a Web site operated by the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Our Secret is Out" proclaims the site, which features images of same-sex couples enjoying the local sights.
"It's not about being politically correct, it's about being economically correct," said Phillip Jones, president and CEO of the tourism bureau.
He said gay travelers spend an average of $US100 ($A130) more per day than other travellers, and plan four to six trips a year.
The city's appeals won over the Washington-based Family Pride Coalition, a gay family advocacy group which conducted its national conference in Dallas recently after the bureau made a presentation at the organisation's office.
Though some members were initially reluctant to bring their meeting to Texas - where a gay-marriage ban passed with 76 percent support last year - Dallas was chosen over Minneapolis and Chicago.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/texan ... 91155.html (http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/texans-want-the-gay-dollar/2006/11/30/1164777691155.html)
November 30, 2006 - 9:48AM
The Old West is old news.
That's the word from Dallas tourism officials attempting to lure gay and lesbian visitors with a message that the city is a great place for them to spend their time and money.
"Big D" is a diverse metropolitan area that "has left behind stereotypes of big-haired women and rowdy cowboys - that is, unless you count sassy drag queens and strapping gay rodeo champs," according to a Web site operated by the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Our Secret is Out" proclaims the site, which features images of same-sex couples enjoying the local sights.
"It's not about being politically correct, it's about being economically correct," said Phillip Jones, president and CEO of the tourism bureau.
He said gay travelers spend an average of $US100 ($A130) more per day than other travellers, and plan four to six trips a year.
The city's appeals won over the Washington-based Family Pride Coalition, a gay family advocacy group which conducted its national conference in Dallas recently after the bureau made a presentation at the organisation's office.
Though some members were initially reluctant to bring their meeting to Texas - where a gay-marriage ban passed with 76 percent support last year - Dallas was chosen over Minneapolis and Chicago.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/texan ... 91155.html (http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/texans-want-the-gay-dollar/2006/11/30/1164777691155.html)