Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Gay nuptials boost spend

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Gay nuptials boost spend

Gay nuptials boost spend: "Gay nuptials boost spend

Posted: Mon 9 Aug, 2010 12:00 AM
Gay nuptials boost spend

Numbers show that destinations that have legalised gay marriage are seeing a boost in tourism dollars, from same-sex couples jet-setting off to tie the knot. It seems that legislation is following the money, with the gay tourism market now making up about 15% of the world tourism market, according to a recent report by the Miami Herald.

A report in the New York Times stated that on July 15, Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalise same-sex weddings. On August 4th a San Francisco federal judge overturned California's ban on same-sex marriages. The next day, on August 5th, Mexico City’s six-month-old law authorising same-sex marriage was declared constitutional.

Gloria Guevara, secretary of tourism, Mexico, was quoted as having said that gays spend more money and time on average, on vacations, than heterosexual couples, and that her country plans to actively target this market. The US gay tourism market alone spends US$65 billion a year, she said. To draw interest, Mexico City authorities offered a free trip to their city to the first Argentine couple who got married under that country’s same-sex marriage law.

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.