Tel Aviv: The Pink City

Y net ^ | 11.15.05 | Danny Sadeh

[Coleus]

The Pink City

Local tourism officials plan on turning Tel Aviv into the gay capital of the world; Israel Hotel Association official: Tel Aviv and gay people are a perfect fit

Tel Aviv is known throughout the world as “The White City” due to the many Bauhaus-style structures that adorn its streets, but the city may soon be called “The Pink City,” as tourism industry heads are planning on transforming the city into the gay capital of the world, Israel’s leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported. “Tel Aviv and gay people are a perfect fit,” an Israel Hotel Association (IHA) official said.

The idea was born when IHA Director-General Eli Ziv visited London recently to participate in the 2005 World Travel Market exhibition. During the exhibition Ziv met with representatives of the homo-lesbian travel industry, and discovered an audience that would travel just about anywhere for a good party, even to the Middle East.  “The gay community has amazing consumer power, and Tel Aviv has a lot to offer to this community,” Ziv explained.

“We have the beach, sun, culture and nightclubs. To our knowledge, gays are capable of hopping on a plane and traveling to the other side of the world just to participate in parties and events that are related to the gay community.”

'Grand opening for homosexual events'

The IHA in Tel Aviv, along with a local gay rights group, turned to European travel agents who focus on the gay community and requested they prepare vacation packages to Tel Aviv. “We are drafting plans to encourage gay tourism from Germany, England and Holland,” Ziv added. “We plan on approaching travel agents who are aware of the gay community’s needs, launch a special website for gays and advertise Tel Aviv in gay European websites as well.

Jerusalem is scheduled to host the 2006 World Pride Parade , but Ziv is already working to have it moved to Tel Aviv.  “This event could mark the grand opening for homosexual events in the city,” he said. “We need the boost.”

'An airlift of gays'

Meanwhile, Tourism Ministry Director-General Eli Cohen said he would offer any financial assistance necessary to turn Tel Aviv into the gay capital of the

 

world, and he is not alone: TUI, Europe’s largest tourism conglomerate, has recently decided to offer charter flights to Tel Aviv. Israeli tourism officials said they believe the decision would facilitate the travel of thousands of gays to the country.

Today TUI offers a roundtrip ticket on a weekly charter flight to Israel for 150-200 euros (about USD 176-234). “It will be helpful to our initiative if they increase the number of flights to Tel Aviv,’ Ziv said.

“Now the occupancy rate on these flights already stands at more than 80 percent for the next few months. In February they plan to increase the number of flights to three a week. If this will indeed happen, we will see an airlift of gays to Tel Aviv.” 

[HHKrepublican_2]

In other news, San Francisco has slapped Tel Aviv with its purse.

[Bogie]

This is really nuts!

[HHKrepublican_2]

Sn Fran: Tel Aviv did What?
Philly: Made itself the Gay Capital
San Fran: Oh No He Di'int

[MplsSteve]

Probably a good idea to move this "festival" out of Jerusalem.

From my understanding (someone correct me if I'm wrong) but it's a very devout city (for many religions) and and event like that may not go over well there.

[dennisw]

Will definitely help Israel's image with the Arabs!

[Unam Sanctam]

Oy vey!

[hyperkitty]

From my understanding (someone correct me if I'm wrong) but it's a very devout city (for many religions) and and event like that may not go over well there.

That's what I thought too.

[Sabramerican]

I just thought of one benefit.

You know who loves Gays.Really really loves Gays? Loves Gays more then it hates Israel and Republicans?

The New York Times.

If Tel Aviv is the Gay Capital and the Arabs kill a Gay, for the first time in its history the NY times may not find an excuse Islamic terror.

Except for that one hope: Israel has gone insane.

[Natural Law]

Don't read too much into this. Israel's hotel and tourism industry has been suffering for years due to the perception of danger from the intifada. If they can generate some business and buzz from this God bless them.

[Natural Law]

Although it is technically in the Holy land and does have a large number of devout inhabitants Tel Aviv is NOT a devout city. It is a modern, western, generally young city with a large immigrant population. It has great clubs, hotels, beaches and restaurants which result is a pretty wild night life.

[anotherview]

So, now a hotel association speaks for Israel? Their stupid statement condemns an entire nation. No wonder you made yerida. No wonder you are always predicting doom and gloom. You have no sense of what is meaningful and what is not.

I truly pity you.

[Sabramerican]

Can I quote you to those who accuse me of being a traitor to the US and loyal only to Israel? LOL

You don't think an attempt to designate Tel Aviv the Gay Capital of the World is insane? Has the idea been condemned by the Mayor? The Government?

Wonder the opinion of Haaretz and Shinui and idiots who support either?

[The Old Hoosier]

Wives of Tel-Aviv, beware what deadly diseases your husbands may pick up on the "down-low."

[Sabramerican]

Did you ever think of going into politics. Form your own party. You can be the next PM.

With the daily news that come out of Israel it is obvious there is a large constituency of the simple minded who are wrong just about everything.

[Jumper]

The joke over is this:

You to go Jerusalem to Pray

You go to Tel Aviv to Play

I'm not too sure that this place is the Gay Capital some might want you to think it is.

[DHak]

gay joos? who wudda thunkit

[Tokra]

Gays have one of the highest disposable incomes of any group you look at. (mostly because of good jobs and no kids). Any industry would be crazy not to take advantage of that fact. The tourism industry exists to make money - not to condone or condemn sexual preferences.

[Grzegorz 246]

"Oy vey!"

Exactly.