El Al, Israel’s national airline, has gone all out to bring Europe’s gays to the Holy Land, just in time for Gay Pride month in June. Some very special travel packages are on offer, including a round trip from any European city and three nights in a Tel Aviv hotel, starting from a very reasonable $330. That is actually a whole lot more sweeter than reasonable, considering the summer season, with summer prices, is about to kick in.
But it looks like El Al has twigged on about the potential of gay tourism, which is notoriously more open-wallet than non-gay tourists. Marketing efforts won’t be mainstream: instead El Al has teamed up with a leading gay website in Israel, encouraging members to invite European friends over, with Gay Pride month in Tel Aviv – extra special this year thanks to Tel Aviv’s centenary celebrations – the obvious attraction. Many hundreds, if not thousands, of gay tourists are expected in Tel Aviv during June, thanks to this new campaign.
“This is a disgrace. Just as El Al was sensitive to the ultra-Orthodox community and refrained from flying on Shabbat and serves kosher meals, it shouldn’t take part in this. And in general, this whole pride parade – it would be better to watch a show at the circus than this parade.”