Tourism industry targets gays unwilling to forego travel

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Chicago and other destinations are stepping up their marketing efforts, targeting gays, to get their share of ‘pink’ travel money.

As many Americans are juggling their diminishing funds to deal with daily necessities during the recession, travel plans are being set aside, leading to a sharp decline in air travel and a downturn in tourism in many destinations.

At least one demographic, however, is refusing to do without travel. A member of the demographic is Tim Engdahl, a Chicagoan who is gay, gainfully employed and has had a lifelong passion for travel.

The 46-year-old nurse said: “I might cut back on other things throughout the year, but I have to see what’s worth it to me in life, and traveling is worth it.” Engdahl went on a cruise in February and is considering another before the end of the year.

Zoom Vacations, a Chicago travel company catering to gays and lesbians, is seeing an increase in business, according to owner Bryan Herb.

“If I’m at a cocktail party with a bunch of gay people, we’re talking about travel—a lot,” Herb commented. “Gay people will give up a lot of things, but we won’t give up our vacations. What else are we going to talk about?”

Thanks to www.chicagotribune.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

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