According to a report in the Telegraph, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), buoyed by the rise in homosexual tourism this season, is gearing to sensitise taxi drivers, tourist guides and hotel staff. Travel companies are scrambling to come out with exclusive offers for gays and lesbians, including honeymoon and wedding packages. As per the report, India now has four tour operators dedicated exclusively to homosexual tourism. All of them were launched immediately after last year’s Delhi High Court judgment which de-criminalised homosexuality.
Vijay Thakur, President, IATO said, “Many countries have realised the potential of this fast-growing segment and we should not miss the opportunity,” adding that Gay Tourism was expected to pick up in India in a big way by next year. “India is already one of the favourite destinations among homosexuals. But there is a need to sensitise the entire tourism sector,’’ he stated. As per industry sources, gays outnumbered lesbians this season and that most of them came from the US and Western Europe. The most popular destinations were Goa, Rajasthan, Kerala, the Northeast |