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St. Lucia NGO says Caribbean Could Cash in on Same-sex Tourism

A senior official of a St. Lucia human rights non-governmental organisation says the United States’ Supreme Court decision to allow gay marriages across the country could very well open up a new tourism market for the Caribbean if the region takes advantage of the opportunity. Photo: Caribbean News
CARIBBEAN NEWS

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Jun 30 2015 – A senior official of a St. Lucia human rights non-governmental organisation says the United States’ Supreme Court decision to allow gay marriages across the country could very well open up a new tourism market for the Caribbean if the region takes advantage of the opportunity.

Secretary of United and Strong Inc., Jessica St. Rose told local media that the move could create opportunities for tourism-driven countries to explore same-sex tourism.

She said the Caribbean should move to make gay marriage legal, making it more appealing for same-sex couples.

The secretary of the NGO which represents marginalised groups in the island, with a focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, argued that the region could cash in by encouraging same-sex couples to visit the Caribbean for their honeymoons and family vacations.

“I don’t know when the Caribbean will move to that decision to make same sex marriage legal but with the United States doing it a lot can happen,” she said, adding that St. Lucia, in particular, does not have many industries to fall back on.

“Bananas are going downhill and tourism is what is holding us up, so if it happens I think tourism officials should grab at the opportunity to welcome those couples and not just be a heterosexual destination, but welcome same-sex couples in the region.”

St. Rose also pointed out it made sense to take advantage of the opportunities since “we cannot prevent same sex persons who are married from coming to the Caribbean” and some hotels on the island were already welcoming same-sex couples.

5 Responses to “St. Lucia NGO says Caribbean Could Cash in on Same-sex Tourism”

  • Gayless (30/06/2015, 21:11) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Money is not all and infidelity still gonna play a big role in these kinds of relationships and even worse than a normal man and woman relationship. Sodom and Gomorroh at it again but I still prefer the Garden of Eden and stick with Adam and Eve and not Adam and Steve
  • eyewitness (01/07/2015, 20:23) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    "St. Rose" should visit some of the United States where gay rights has run amok. There are states in the USA where
    you can't even criticize or refuse to hire a gay person. You are NOT entitled to your opinion or choices if you are
    straight. Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? It is quite true. And often the case is that many gays, especially the females
    are utterly incapable of just getting along with men - never mind the sexual orientation - just as plain folks. I don't
    believe in discrimination and abuse - but that goes both ways. Alot of people in this, are NOT into equality or just
    want to be treated fairly and with respect. They want their cake and everyone elses and are just a bigot in a gay
    body - usually a lesbian one. The world belongs to them and to hell with everyone else. Good 'ol United States
    pandering to the extremists and spraying the world with it. If only humans could just get along, Jessica.
  • 911 (02/07/2015, 08:05) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Cash in then
  • Soul Selling (08/07/2015, 09:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    So they want us to sell our souls for some gay dollars...no thank you!
  • Lily Ann (19/07/2015, 10:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marijuana will cash in even GREATER ... Gays, Straight, Bi, Plaid will ALL come flocking in to the Caribbean for piece of Mary !! THAT is worth Legalizing and pushing tourism economy forward !!!! Colorado is already SMILING to the bank


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