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New Zealand tourism boosted by gay marriage law
Last week’s announcement that New Zealand is to allow gay marriage is expected to bring a boost to the tourism industry. Reece Farmilo, owner of gay travel agency Sydney’s Out Travel, said thousands of people would travel to New Zealand either to get married or as guests of a wedding. He added that since last Wednesday he had received a number of calls from wedding planners.
Rodney Croome, national director of Australian Marriage Equality, said the introduction of same-sex marriage in Australia could boost the economy by around AU$700 million. Instead, much of that will now be spent in New Zealand. He added that the federal government was missing an opportunity.
New Zealand is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to approve gay marriage. According to Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York, since its introduction in 2011, the same-sex marriage law has generated economic benefits worth $259 million.
According to reports, 200,000 people have travelled to the city to attend gay weddings, and 235,000 hotel room nights booked in the first 12 months.
Tim Burgess from Tourism New Zealand said he hoped that New Zealand would become the top same-sex marriage destination for Australians, as it is already the top destination with Australians travelling overseas.
Rodney Croome, national director of Australian Marriage Equality, said the introduction of same-sex marriage in Australia could boost the economy by around AU$700 million. Instead, much of that will now be spent in New Zealand. He added that the federal government was missing an opportunity.
New Zealand is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to approve gay marriage. According to Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York, since its introduction in 2011, the same-sex marriage law has generated economic benefits worth $259 million.
According to reports, 200,000 people have travelled to the city to attend gay weddings, and 235,000 hotel room nights booked in the first 12 months.
Tim Burgess from Tourism New Zealand said he hoped that New Zealand would become the top same-sex marriage destination for Australians, as it is already the top destination with Australians travelling overseas.
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