Times: Vienna shoots for gay travel market

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130407/travel/Vienna-shoots-for-gay-travel-market.464749
Sunday, April 7, 2013 by Reuters

Vienna has joined a growing list of European cities seeking to attract lesbian and gay tourists who are expected to remain willing to spend on travel while other recession-hit travellers cut back.

City authorities in Vienna this month released a review of the Austrian capital’s gay and lesbian tourism strategy, deciding to focus on travellers interested in music, culture and history – and with money to spend.

The review followed a study among gay and lesbian travellers from outside of Vienna that found their average household’s monthly net income was €385 higher than that of other tourists to Vienna.

Clemens Koeltringer, marketing analyst from the Vienna Tourist Board, said this target group was high profile, luxury customers who go to the opera and enjoy very good food. “Vienna is not a Mykonos, it must not be,” Koeltringer told Reuters, referring to the party destination. “This is the main reason we are differentiating ourselves.”

Vienna is not alone in identifying the potential of the gay and lesbian market. Germany, Bulgaria and Greece were among other destinations promoting gay friendly credentials at the world’s leading travel trade show, the ITB Travel Fair in Berlin earlier this month.

For example VisitBerlin, in joint partnership with participating hotels, launched the Pink Pillow Berlin Collection, a hotel network designed for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) guests.