As anyone who has spent time in Israel knows, Israel has a thriving and very happening gay community. It may seem out of place in the Holy Land and does often invoke the wrath of the more religious, but it’s here to stay.
And that thriving community is about to be expanded by more of the international gay community; some 200 travel agents from across the world are expected at the annual International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association symposium, which is coming to Tel Aviv for the first time this October, to market Tel Aviv to members of the gay community.
Shay Deutsch, spokesman for the Israeli gay community, was excited:
“The advantage of such a convention is that it exposes to travel agencies around the world what Tel Aviv has to offer to the gay population, and after such a convention, tourism blossoms in the hosting city”.
Tourism Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila had this to say:
“The city is promoting the matter of gay tourism to Tel Aviv. I welcome any tourist coming to Israel, regardless of their sex, opinions, or sexual preferences.”
Hear hear, is what we say. Coming soon, the Gay Guide to Israel.