Pittsburgh Looks to Attract More Gay & Lesbian Tourists - Might They Also Venture Up To Venango County?

WTAE-TV Jan. '08

Tourism is a multibillion-dollar business and fighting for a slice of the action means getting the word out about your city's offerings.

Pittsburgh is trying to attract more gay and lesbian visitors, but that means battling a few misconceptions about the town.

The city wants to show the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community or GLBT, a group that accounts for 10 percent of the U.S. travel market, what the city has to offer.

"Statistics tell us there is a lot of money to be had, a lot of money to spend," said Beverly Morrow-Jones of Visit Pittsburgh. "They like spending money and they like having a good time, and I think, just like everybody else, the gay and lesbian community wants to feel welcomed."

So, Visit Pittsburgh is making its pitch, selling the city through inclusion in the gay-friendly NaviGaytor travel guide.

Gary Van Horn heads the Delta Foundation, which helps to unite Pittsburgh's gay community. "I think it's huge," said Van Horn. "I think they see that there is a huge market there and to kind of encompass that and bring them to Pittsburgh, I think, is great."

"I am still afraid there is a perception out there this is not the most progressive town or the most modern city, and it's a completely wrong perception, obviously, as we all know," said Peter Karlovich of the Delta Foundation.

In the end, the formula for attracting gay and lesbian tourists is no different than what you would use to attract any tourist to Pittsburgh: Be friendly and fun.