GAY TOURISM INITIATIVE WELCOMED BUT STATE MARRIAGE EQUALITY WILL BE THE MAJOR DRAWCARD FOR GAY TOURISM
Tasmanian gay rights advocate, Rodney Croome, has welcomed an initiative from the Tourism Council of Tasmania to ensure the state’s tourism enterprises are gay friendly, but added that state same-sex marriage laws are what will really attract gay visitors.
The initiative, launched today by Tourism minister, Jim Bacon, will see tourism operators given accreditation if they are able to show they are genuinely friendly to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex tourists.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, welcomed the initiative which is the most advanced of its kind in Australia.
“Providing LGBTI tourists with a safe and non-discriminatory visitor experience will benefit our reputation as a tourism destination”, Mr Croome said.
“But if we really want to attract gay visitors to Tasmania we should become the first Australian state to allow same-sex couples to marry.”
“According to a study by the University of California conducted in 2012, same-sex couples marrying in Tasmania would spend $96 million over three years on their weddings, and much more besides on their honeymoons.”
“Today’s announcement will foster friendlier attitudes to gay visitors, but marriage equality will be the major incentive for them to come.”
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome
