Gay & lesbian tourism in Mexico's
capital has soared since lawmakers legalized gay marriage in March.
According to the government's Officinia
de Turismo Lesbico-Gay Bisexual y Transexual (LGBT), the city netted
nearly half a million dollars (6 million pesos) in the second half of
2010.
The agency's manager, Erwin Romero
Montiel, credited the legalization of gay marriage for the city's
soaring gay tourism.
“Social progress, namely the law to
allow marriages between members of the same sex and local government
policies, have opened great possibilities for this niche market,”
he told Mexican news agency Notimex.
The city has actively campaigned to woo
gay dollars. For example, after
Argentina legalized marriage for gay couples, Mexico City officials
invited the first couple to marry to honeymoon in Mexico.
Montiel said that he believes Mexico
City can compete with the world's leading gay tourism cities of San
Francisco, Toronto and Buenos Aires. He added that the city is
considering certifying businesses as gay friendly.
“The gay tourist is equally or more
demanding than the heterosexual tourist, and will easily uncover a
hoax, but the certification will allow better control of quality
standards,” he said.