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Canadian Gay Chamber invites $54 Billion US Gay Travel Market to
visit Canada
Philadelphia, PA, USA – April 28, 2005 –
Founders of the
Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) are in
Philadelphia to participate in Equality Forum 2005, the world’s
largest gay and lesbian civil rights event. Attending for the third
year in a row, Chamber founder R. Bruce McDonald is here to showcase
Canada on the international stage.
Equality Forum
is a key marketing event for the CGLCC in its work to promote Canada
as a gay and lesbian travel destination.
Said McDonald,
“This is the third time I’ve been to Equality Forum, and the third
time we’ve brought Mounties because they’re the most recognizable
symbol of Canada worldwide.
Last year, Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell,
Honorary Dinner Chair
of the International Business Colloquium Dinner, stopped in the
middle of his speech to say, “Are those Mounties?” and then
introduced them to his secret service detail and asked the Canadian
delegation if he could have a picture with them.” [attached]
Darrell
Schuurman, CGLCC Co-Founder says, “Canada has an opportunity to
capitalize on one of the most lucrative niche travel markets. It
requires a small investment but will be guaranteed to generate huge
returns. The US has a $54 billion gay travel market that we are
trying to capture by aggressively promoting Canada as a travel
destination. America’s gay travelers are well aware of how “gay
friendly” Canada is; with US LGBT media giving Canada extensive
coverage on issues such as same-sex marriage, and the protections
extended to the LGBT community under the law, Canada is an easy
sell… we just need to invite them…and they will come”
In 2004, Canada
was honored as the Featured Nation at Equality Forum. Canada’s
participation was coordinated by CGLCC, in partnership with the
Canadian Tourism Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs &
International Trade, Tourisme Montréal, City of Winnipeg, Ontario
Tourism, Delta Hotels, and Air Canada. Prominent Canadians have
attended in the past, including Former Justice Minister Martin
Cauchon, Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman, Toronto city
councillor Kyle Rae, and numerous others.
The CGLCC
garnered CDN$2.3 million promotional benefit for Canada with last
years investment of CDN$130,000. The potential tourism impact of
gay marriage has been conservatively estimated at $1 billion over
the next three years, in addition to the positive and inviting image
Canada portrays to US LGBT travellers.
About The Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Launched in 2003, the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is
committed to opening the lines of communication and trade for GLBT
businesses, professionals and students of business across Canada. The
Chamber promotes economic growth and opportunities for Canadian GLBT
and GLBT friendly businesses, and works in association with The
Quebec Gay Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario Gay & Lesbian Chamber Of
Commerce, the Lambda Business & Professional Association of
Manitoba, and the Gay and Lesbian Business Association (BC). LGBT
consumers contribute nearly 75 billion dollars to the Canadian
economy.
About Travel Gay Canada
With a mandate to increase gay and lesbian travel to and within
Canada, Travel Gay Canada is one of several program areas of the
CGLCC.
www.travelgaycanada.com.
Contact:
R.
Bruce McDonald - Co-Founder - Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of
Commerce
Phone: 416-761-5151
bruce@cglcc.ca
www.cglcc.ca
Royal
Canadian Mounted Police with
Pennsylvania Governor
Edward Rendell
and Ontario Minister of Health and Long Term Care at Equality Forum
2004
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