Israel Gay Tourism

Israel has become the new attraction for homosexual travelers, who flock to the country in a trade bringing millions of so-called "pink dollars." (the Monitor photo)

"We do know from focus groups and anecdotal conversations with travelers that the destination is growing in appeal," Thomas Roth, president of Community Marketing Inc., a San Francisco-based gay market research firm, told the Christian Science Monitor on Wednesday, August 13.

Israel has become the new attraction for homosexual travelers, bringing millions of "pink dollars" to the country.

Israel is cashing in on the niche market of gay tourism, which makes up 10 percent or more of the travel industry, argues Roth.

Industry groups in Israel cite a sharp rise in the homosexual tourism drive in recent years.

Shai Doitsh, head of the gay tourism department at Agudah -- Israel's Association of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexuals and Transgenders, says thousands of gay tourists visited Israel this year alone.

Five years ago, the numbers were in the hundreds, and a decade ago there was virtually no market at all, he noted.

Homosexual Friendly   

Professor Poria cites a covert government's support for the gay tourism industry. (Google photo)

The boost in the pink-dollars industry is attributed to a friendly environment and a covert government support.

"It is wanted – it's just tricky. Like so many things in Israel," Yaniv Poria, a professor in the department of hotel and tourism management at Ben Gurion University, told the Monitor.

Almost every high-end hotel in Israel has a so-called "specialty beach" exclusive for gay couples.

Israel's homosexual-friendly laws are seen as another factor for its appeal for gay tourists.

Sodomy was decriminalized by Israel Supreme Court 20 years ago.

Gays can openly serve in the army, inherit their spouse's property and be registered by the government as married.

As of this year, gay couples are allowed to adopt children.

Professor Poria also cites a covert government's support for the gay tourism industry.

"The government has turned over marketing to the local level or taken it underground."

He explains that cities are now free to market themselves as they see fit, while the country, officially, continues to market a far more traditional set of attractions.

"You will not find [Israeli Foreign Minister] Zippi Livni talking about this – but you will see promotional spots for such tourism, supported by the ministry, but not attributed to them, on, say YouTube."

Ultraorthodox Jewish groups see the booming industry as offensive to holy sites like that in Jerusalem.

Last year, the Tourism Ministry was forced to stop a campaign to promote gay tourism after details were published in the local media.

At the time, dozens of orthodox Jewish members of parliament threatened to bring down the government over the campaign.