According to a recent study published this week, conservative immigration policy in the United States is seen as a deterrent to tourism by most gays and lesbians. In the survey, carried out by the company Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI), 68% of gays and lesbians prefer to travel to another country than the United States. The study, the largest of its kind, received more than 7.500 responses from around the world. Lesbians and gays in Canada showed the greatest rejection of the policy adopted in the United States. In a parallel question, 74% of respondents residing in the United States reported that they are more willing to visit a country with a progressive political profile. Even so, the United States remains as a highly desirable vacation destination for many. Of respondents who do not reside in the United States, 61% responded that they still visit the United States because of the US's urban gay communities and because of the resorts. “In Brazil the situation is similar. Currently, it is easier to get flights to the United States than to Europe. The number of packages being sold to the United States has also seen a significant drop. This is a fact. This is a reflection of immigration policy not only in the GLS market, but also in the heterosexual market”, stated Nilton Paiva, president of ABRAT GLS – Brazilian GLS Tourism Association. Good leadership from the LGBT community also helps encourage tourism. 43% of respondents from outside the USA stated that they visit the United States because of its effective activism. The diversity of motifs is reflected in different regions of the world. While Australians said they do not visit the United States because of its war policy against Iraq, Latin Americans and Canadians said changes in immigration laws are the main reason for not traveling to the United States.
in Culture
