Gavana
JF-Expert Member
- Jul 19, 2008
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According to Thomas Roth, president of Community Marketing Inc., a San Francisco-based gay market research firm, gay travelers make up 10 percent or more of the travel industry, spending tens of billions of dollars yearly. They are a valuable niche market, he points out, with higher than average disposable income, and a typically strong interest in both shopping and culture.
While no research has been conducted on gay tourism to Israel specifically, says Mr. Roth, who just returned from his own visit to the country, " we do know from focus groups and anecdotal conversations with travelers that the destination is growing in appeal."
Shai Doitsh, head of the gay tourism department at Agudah, Israel's Association of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexuals, and Transgenders, says that thousands of gay tourists both independent and groups have come to Israel this year, infusing the economy with millions of so-called "pink dollars." Five years ago, the numbers were in the hundreds. A decade ago there was virtually no market at all, he says.
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While no research has been conducted on gay tourism to Israel specifically, says Mr. Roth, who just returned from his own visit to the country, " we do know from focus groups and anecdotal conversations with travelers that the destination is growing in appeal."
Shai Doitsh, head of the gay tourism department at Agudah, Israel's Association of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexuals, and Transgenders, says that thousands of gay tourists both independent and groups have come to Israel this year, infusing the economy with millions of so-called "pink dollars." Five years ago, the numbers were in the hundreds. A decade ago there was virtually no market at all, he says.
SOURSE CSM
