Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Big D seeks Big G Dollars

Another major US city, this time Dallas, has joined the trend to attract GLBT visitors to its city. Dallas has launched a website geared specifically towards queer travelers.

Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau Launches a New Website for Gay
Travelers


DALLAS, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau
(CVB) is reaching out to minority travelers by launching a new website (
http://www.glbtdallas.com ). The website stands to be one of the
most comprehensive CVB sites focused solely on gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender (GLBT) travelers.

"The Dallas CVB has created this site to speak directly to the interests of GLBT travelers," said Phillip Jones, president & CEO, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It's an approach that underscores our city's accepting, gay-friendly environment. We understand that the GLBT traveler wants to know if they are going to a place that welcomes them unconditionally, and this website is our city's answer. Yes."

The website features pages of content tailored for gay travelers. It lists special events
and nightlife along with a growing number of gay-friendly accommodations, restaurants, art museums and cultural venues.

"Oak Lawn, our GLBT neighborhood, is out, proud, always bustling and full of things to do. Our city has the sixth largest gay population in the United States, and we score the
highest among the nation's 10 largest cities based on the gay index," said Ross
Crusemann, senior vice president of marketing, Dallas Convention & Visitors
Bureau. The gay index is a study published by Gary Gates, a demographer at the
Urban Institute.

Dallas offers a multitude of attractions and activities that appeal to many different tastes. Each year, 25,000 people gather to celebrate the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade. The parade is part of a weekend celebration in mid-September that includes Gay Day at Six Flags. Other notable events include the Dallas-Fort Worth Black Tie Dinner, State Fair of Texas Gay Day, Out Takes Dallas Film Festival and AIDS Arms Life Walk -- 5K Walk and Run.

Dallas is a destination that inspires big ideas and promises many memorable
experiences. This richly diverse city is home to some of the best shopping in
America, one of the largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender populations,
over 6,500 dining options -- more per capita than New York City, and outstanding
performing and visual arts in the largest urban arts district in the nation.

Dallas is an authentic, sophisticated and distinctive getaway. For additional
GLBT visitor information, please visit
http://www.glbtdallas.com .

Live Large. Think Big.