Canada invites gay tourists to get 'out and about'
by Laura Robin, National Post, Apr 23, 2003

OTTAWA - Unspoiled wilderness, majestic mountains -- and a sizzling gay scene. Canada is coming out of the closet and inviting American visitors to take a walk on the wild side, and we're not just talking about wilderness adventures here. The Canadian Tourism Commission, a Crown corporation, has launched a $300,000 campaign to give Canada a new, edgier image and convince American homosexuals that Canada is a great, gay place. It is advertising in gay and lesbian magazines in the United States, on gay Web sites, and setting up stands at gay and lesbian expos. "The primary goal is to heighten awareness for Canada as the premier four-season, gay-friendly destination amongst the gay and lesbian community," says the commission's Gay and Lesbian Campaign plan, drawn up in February. "If it is successful in increasing profile and traffic, the campaign will be broadened in future years," the document says.

The tourism commission will start advertising in gay and lesbian magazines such as Out, Out Traveler and Curve, and newspapers such as Gay City News (New York) and NY Blade, next month. Ads will direct gay readers to the commission's Web Site, which says: "Canada gives out and about a whole new meaning."

Not to be outdone, even the Ontario government has climbed on the gay bandwagon. Go to the Ontario Travel Web site, click on "Gay & Lesbian Travel" and you will find an interesting twist on the familiar Ontario slogan, "Come to gay-friendly Ontario where there truly is ... More to Discover!" it promises. "Ontario is proud to be a leading province in gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered ... and two-spirited civil rights and equalities," the Web site says. "Ontario provides a safe and exhilarating environment to enjoy top-class urban experiences, outdoor adventures, and everything in-between ... including getting married!"

"People don't automatically think of Canada as a gay destination, but I think that's changing," said Darrell Schuurman, the Toronto co-founder of the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. "I think when same-sex marriage got to be a hot topic ... people started thinking more about Canada and saying, 'Yeah, it's a pretty progressive place.'"

Redneck Calgary wants gay tourists (worth $US65-billion in USA). Canada.com, Jan 26, 2007

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