Gay and lesbian tourism New Zealand

Gay and lesbian tourists are being encouraged to visit New Zealand in 2012, as a new marketing campaign promotes both gay and lesbian events and businesses in the country.  The tourism website PureGayNZ.com has relaunched itself with support from businesses run by gay and lesbian Kiwis as well as those which provide services to all tourists, no matter what their sexual preference is.

Vijay Naiker, boss of the umbrella organisation Pure NZ Marketing Group welcomed efforts by the local people to attract more gay and lesbian tourists to the country, especially as 2012 is predicted to be a tough year for those in the tourism industry.

Gay and Lesbian Tourism New Zealand has been promoting businesses run by gays and lesbians for over eight years, as well as advertising other hotels, bars and restaurants which have proven themselves to be gay-friendly. A recent survey by the HSBC Bank named New Zealand as the world’s friendliest country, with few respondents reporting problems with intolerance of any kind.

The Gay and Lesbian Tourism New Zealand website offers reviews of gay-friendly accommodation options and places to eat, as well as where to find the best bars. As part of the relaunch, users can now book rooms directly through the site and the PureGayNZ.com brand has expanded to take advantage of the social media phenomenon.

Vijay Naiker added that since the re-branding, the website has seen visitors from as far away as Denmark and Spain making enquiries or actually booking a holiday in New Zealand based on the gay and lesbian promotional material.

Of course, the online guide also tells potential visitors about the amazing sights that New Zealand has to offer, on both the North and South Islands, and includes practical details about transportation and some of the best day trips to take from the major cities.

PureGayNZ.com is also happy to promote gay and lesbian events that are taking place in New Zealand, and Gay and Lesbian Tourism New Zealand has good relationships with the organisers of many regular festivals, especially 2012 Gay Ski Week in Queenstown, which takes place in January. Other major gay and lesbian cultural events include the annual Outtakes Film festival and the drag queen celebration Queen of the Whole Universe which is held in Auckland.