The hunt for pink dollar

[rooster59]

The hunt for pink dollar

By PHATARAWADEE PHATARANAWIK 
THE NATION WEEKEND

 

Thai government’s interest in pursuing “pink dollars” – revenue derived from tourism programmes that appeal to LGBT travellers. Photo/AFP

 

While marriage equality is yet to clear the legislative thicket, advocates are encouraged by the country's efforts to woo more LGBTQ tourists

 

The Life Partnership Bill still has a long bureaucratic path ahead and an election and post-election uncertainty to endure before it could become law. But its recent approval in the Cabinet was an important initial step in making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to legally recognise same-sex civil partnerships. 

 

Brightening prospects further for Thailand’s sizeable LGBTQ community is the government’s interest in pursuing “pink dollars” – revenue derived from tourism programmes that appeal to LGBT travellers.

 

With a social climate widely seen as tolerant towards non-heterosexual orientations, Thailand has been called a haven for the gay and transgender lifestyle. The authorities are increasingly seeking to capitalise on that global reputation by encouraging more visits by foreign LGBT tourists, as well as the rights activists and artists who support the community. 

 

Both the public and private sectors are preparing to host events that will appeal to that social segment. 

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) runs marketing campaigns aimed at LGBT tourism and, among many other plans, the Hong Kong-based Sunpride Foundation will next November be bringing Asia’s largest LGBT art exhibition to Bangkok.

 

 

“LGBTQ are seen as a high-potential market with an above-average level of disposable income,” TAT deputy governor Srisuda Wanapinyosak told The Nation Weekend. “In tourism terms, they tend to travel more frequently than the demographic average.”

 

In a recent report, LGBT Capital estimated the global LGBT population at 496 million, with 4.5 million LGBT people living in Thailand. Global purchasing power was calculated at US$3.6 trillion and spending on tourism at $5.3 billion. 

 

Srisuda said the TAT had begun targeting this segment five years ago, but the market remained niche and hasn’t yet reached its full potential. With the Cabinet’s endorsement of the Life Partnership Bill, though – however troubled its future might be – the marketing is growing more aggressive both domestically and globally.

 

“The key to tapping into the LGBTQ market is to understand the diversity of preferences and respond accordingly,” she said. “It’s also important to welcome LGBT people genuinely and not be superficially ‘LGBT-friendly’.”

 

There are three main components to the TAT drive – events spanning entertainment and lifestyles like the Songkran festival and the Wonderfruit and White Party gatherings; high quality in the destinations, hospitality and cuisine on offer; and legal support from the government. 

 

The TAT hosted an LGBTQ symposium in Bangkok in September that drew travel agents from 50 countries. 

 

This month Srisuda will lead a road show in Spain. About 20 Thai tour operators will join her at Fitur, an international tourism-trade fair being held in Madrid. 

 

“Fitur is one of biggest tourism fairs in southern Europe and features a Gay Pavilion,” she said. “Thailand will have a presence as usual, but this year for the first time we’ll also have a booth in the Gay Pavilion.” 

 

Spain, of course, has already had a good look at Thailand. Spaniard Angela Ponce Camacho was in Bangkok in December as the first transgender contestant ever entered in the Miss Universe pageant. She used her time well, raising awareness about gender and LGBT issues as well as boosting Thai tourism on Instagram. 

 

Game changer

 

“LGBTQ is a game changer for the tourism business in Thailand,” gender academic Thitirat Duangkong told The Nation Weekend.

 

“Gender diversity and equality are goals of the United Nations and other global bodies and are even part of the election platforms for some Thai political parties. So it’s quite relevant to the tourism business,” added the guest lecturer at Thammasat University.

 

“We’re stepping forward ahead off our neighbouring countries like the Philippines and Singapore, so we’re on track.” 

 

Tourism and Sport Minister Weerasak Kosurat said a new Bt30-million Digital Tourism Platform introduced by Kasikornbank will further boost the “pink economy”.

 

“LGBT people have purchasing power and also tend to be creative,” he said. “Our new Big Data platform will provide information about all target groups, including LGBTQ. They can easily select destinations, activities and services designed specially for them and book online. 

 

“Besides more pink dollars, we want to see more big smiles from the gender-diverse community visiting Thailand.”

 

 

A year from now the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre will be in the midst of “Spectrosynthesis II: Exposure of Tolerance: LGBTQ in Southeast Asia”, a sprawling exhibition of regional contemporary art with more than 200 pieces by 50 artists. That runs from November 23 into March 2020.

 

The Sunpride Foundation show debuted in Taiwan in 2017 to critical acclaim. Bangkok will be its second stop.

 

“Bangkok is my second home and Thailand is the most friendly LGBT country in Asia,” said Sunpride founder Patrick Sun of Taiwan. 

 

Culture Centre director Pawit Mahasarinand said it would also be hosting film screenings, live performances and international symposiums on gender-related issues as well as conducting educational outreach programmes.

 

“There have been major LGBTQ shows in Europe in recent years, but with the second Spectrosynthesis for artists with roots in Asia, we’re able to share a more distinctively Asian narrative,” said Chatvichai Promadhattavedi, a former Culture Centre director serving as curator for the coming exhibition. 

 

One of the artists involved, Sudaporn Teja, is actually planning to send out a message about the Life Partnership Bill in its current form, which she said falls short of ensuring equality for gender-diverse groups. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30362082

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-12

 

[Eligius]

All they think about is MONEY. Never mind the issue of fairness, justice, human rights; no - none of that matters. It is all and only about MONEY.

 

And note that the Thai 'rulers' are trying to capitalise on gossip about progress in GayPlus rights when, in actuality, not one single, firm, unshakable step forward into solid legislative reality has been taken yet (it's still all blather, all wind - and far from an equality that should not even be contested).

 

A 'terrorist' attack happens: the 'government' immediately cares about MONEY; a Chinese tour boat sinks: the 'government' immediately cares about MONEY; tourists are murdered and raped on Koh Tao (again and again and again), and all the 'government' can think of is MONEY.

 

And the possibility is mooted for slightly more rights for Gay+ people - and all the 'government' thinks and cares about is MONEY.

 

This junta is adrift without even the flimsiest of ethical anchors.

 

 

 

[yellowboat]

7 hours ago, Eligius said:

This junta is adrift without even the flimsiest of ethical anchors.

Not true ????.  They are just carrying on Yingluck's great work.  Her government was the first to put forth such a bill.  The junta is just putting their "magic" to it.  There is an article in that other paper that talks about the junta's step by step juntification of the bill.  Not to worry, it is just being juntified  10 Nov 2018 at 04:00  Opinion
 

[DrTuner]

TAT going for minority groups again. Every time they do this it's a sure sign of a downturn, desperate actions.

[scorecard]

18 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

TAT going for minority groups again. Every time they do this it's a sure sign of a downturn, desperate actions.

And if they ignored minority groups, interests, tourist dollars you would be the first to complain.

[Ulic]

Too broad a spectrum. Just focus on gay Chinese men. Plenty of them in the closet in China looking to enjoy themselves out of the closet. 

[MyFriend You]

15 hours ago, Eligius said:

All they think about is MONEY. Never mind the issue of fairness, justice, human rights; no - none of that matters. It is all and only about MONEY.

 

And note that the Thai 'rulers' are trying to capitalise on gossip about progress in GayPlus rights when, in actuality, not one single, firm, unshakable step forward into solid legislative reality has been taken yet (it's still all blather, all wind - and far from an equality that should not even be contested).

 

A 'terrorist' attack happens: the 'government' immediately cares about MONEY; a Chinese tour boat sinks: the 'government' immediately cares about MONEY; tourists are murdered and raped on Koh Tao (again and again and again), and all the 'government' can think of is MONEY.

 

And the possibility is mooted for slightly more rights for Gay+ people - and all the 'government' thinks and cares about is MONEY.

 

This junta is adrift without even the flimsiest of ethical anchors.

 

 

 

Eh!!  Even in Vietnam they are advocating for same sex marraiges, 'cept it is called 'same sex unions' - and they get the same benefits as opposit sex marraiges. 

 

and whats wrong with thinking about Money - or do you think USA and Europe are the nly continents that can make money on anything..............I say bring it on, LGBTQ Vacations by the Millions.

[NCC1701A]

i feel a song coming on!