US Envoy regrets Dominican Republic shuns gay tourists

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CarpeDReam

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http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/lo...regrets-Dominican-Republic-shuns-gay-tourists

Thoughts on this?

I agree with Brewster that the DR should not discriminate on gay tourism but I also agree with the Tourism Minister that its not in the gov's best interest to actively pursue that market. I think Brewster should refrain from even trying to make a case for it. He needs to realize where he is and be a bit more respectful about that--and be diplomatic as his title suggests. The DR in my opinion is fairly tolerant as it is with gays. I don't think the DR needs to open themselves up to any and every market just to get to their 10million tourists per year goal. The article makes me question, however, what exactly is gay tourism vs. regular tourism? pursuing that market--whether intentionally or not--opens up the door to pedophiles, sex tourism, etc. I'm not saying that the market does not already exist but to open it up further and openly--just shows Brewster really doesn't realize the DR on a social level is not at the same place the US is (some parts of it anyway) and honestly, with so much going on in the country this should not even be open for discussion...there are more pressing issues. Note that I am not saying that gays are pedophiles or sex addicts...but it's like saying the DR is going to actively pursue older single men---this does not mean they would all be open to prostitution but actively marketing to this segment does open up underground markets.
 
Damn i assumed you were talking about Wally in Sosua!! hehe


The ambassador of the United States in the country deplored yesterday that the Ministry of Tourism close the possibility of opening their tourism community Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) in your country, whose expenditure amounts to US $ 1.400 million.

-Wally- James Brewster said it appears that the Dominican Republic is only interested in certain types of tourists, judging by the comments allegedly issued Minister Francisco Javier Garc?a, in the sense that the country is not interested in exploiting the potential of that market.

"When the officer who is the head, the head of the Dominican government says you do not want a certain group of people places us in a difficult to support tourism in this country situation," he said.

In this regard, he said that to reverse this situation is necessary for the country to send a message that does not discriminate and is open to all equally. "That's an important message, because obviously people want to go where they know they will not be discriminated against. A person when you go on holiday have the opportunity to decide where to invest your money. And not only the 1,400 million spent by the LGBT community, but also all their friends that accompany it and they will not go to a place where they are not welcome. "

The diplomat was expressed in these terms when discussing obstacles to increase the flow of visitors from the United States, interviewed at Lunch Weekly Multimedios del Caribe, the director of elCaribe, Osvaldo Santana, Managing Editor Opening Hector Mars, and the editors of Economics and digital elCaribe Hector Linares and Sandra Guzman, respectively.

Rate warmth of the Dominican people

In line with the theme, the head of the diplomatic mission, who was accompanied by her husband, Bob Satawake, Counselor for Public Affairs, James Russo, and Press Attach?, Jeremiah Knight, said that although at some point has felt discriminated sexual orientation, hospitality and warmth with which he has received the Dominican people have been extraordinary.

"That looks good. We have to keep insisting on the statements that some people have, but having said that, I do not think those people really speak on behalf of the Dominican people, because our experience has been extraordinary. Everywhere we go people greets us warmly. Sometimes, people will even excuse for statements that have been made by others, "he said.

He said Dominican Republic came willingly, to a place where they have vacationed for over fifteen years. "We knew that the few that refer in negative terms about any group or pejorative terms do not represent the majority. And we hope it stays that way. We hope that these people eventually no longer insist on this, "he added.

Challenges for tourism

Brewster said that despite the beauty of the Dominican beaches, the warmth of its people and the construction of new resorts, there are still other challenges to overcome as regards security and command of English and other languages ​​by staff service hotels and areas that you believe should be strengthened.

However, he stressed the incursion of the cruise line Carnival, preparing to bring the province of Puerto Plata about 250 thousand tourists, initially, with the expectation of increasing half a million.

He said it is crucial that the first impression that tourists bring when visiting Puerto Plata is extraordinary, so he insisted on the need for the conditions of the road that connects the northern province with Santiago are improved, that the poor state represents a risk to its users.

He added that another important aspect is to create opportunities for visitors not only enjoy its beautiful beaches but also for its mountains, waterfalls, museums and agricultural production.

They will sign with Haitian-American leaders

James Brewster left yesterday to Washington to participate in a special briefing for Haitian-American leaders to be held today at the White House, where also participate Jos? Tom?s P?rez. Also present will be the Secretary of Labor, Thomas E. Perez of Dominican origin. The diplomat revealed that the session is organized by the Office of the White House Intergovernmental Affairs. The event is expected to Brewster highlight the commitment of the Embassy of the United States to the Dominican Republic continues to advance on trade, human rights, entrepreneurship and the fight against corruption. The event will also cover some of the priorities of President Barack Obama including immigration reform, workforce development and international politics with a focus on the Caribbean. Likewise, the outlook towards expanding cooperation between the two countries and the development of new business opportunities will be discussed.
- See more at: El Caribe ? Embajador de EE.UU. deplora RD cierre las puertas al turismo gay
 

Criss Colon

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Judging by the number of openly gay nightclubs in Santo Domingo my wife likes to visit, I'd say the DR is pretty "Gay Friendly".
He did say before he arrived that he was not coming here to be an advocate for the gay lifestyle.
Not that "I give-a-$HIT"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
"CUTE COUPLE"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope that when I get,."Life Without Parole", they are my cellmates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

the gorgon

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http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/lo...regrets-Dominican-Republic-shuns-gay-tourists

Thoughts on this?

I agree with Brewster that the DR should not discriminate on gay tourism but I also agree with the Tourism Minister that its not in the gov's best interest to actively pursue that market. I think Brewster should refrain from even trying to make a case for it. He needs to realize where he is and be a bit more respectful about that--and be diplomatic as his title suggests. The DR in my opinion is fairly tolerant as it is with gays. I don't think the DR needs to open themselves up to any and every market just to get to their 10million tourists per year goal. The article makes me question, however, what exactly is gay tourism vs. regular tourism? pursuing that market--whether intentionally or not--opens up the door to pedophiles, sex tourism, etc. I'm not saying that the market does not already exist but to open it up further and openly--just shows Brewster really doesn't realize the DR on a social level is not at the same place the US is (some parts of it anyway) and honestly, with so much going on in the country this should not even be open for discussion...there are more pressing issues. Note that I am not saying that gays are pedophiles or sex addicts...but it's like saying the DR is going to actively pursue older single men---this does not mean they would all be open to prostitution but actively marketing to this segment does open up underground markets.

the underground market is already open.
 

CarpeDReam

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Agreed but actively pursuing it pretty much makes it more of a mainstream market and I don't think that's in DR's best interest. If this happens you can forget about it being a 'family friendly' destination. It just opens it up to a completely different type of tourism. Again, not gay bashing here...but what does Brewster really envision gay tourism to be if not subliminally sex tourism.
 

CarpeDReam

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How does gay tourism make it not family friendly? LMQAO!

they are just different markets--don't exactly compliment each other. Like in any marketing campaign, it's always best to know your market and target them. Businesses fail when they try to attract all markets. Promoting DR as a family friendly market gives security against crime, drugs, etc. top priority which is something that benefits DR overall. Promoting itself as a gay destination means more nightlife activities--while also lucrative--it unfortunately also promotes more drugs, sex tourism, corruption, and crime. I know most gay tourists would not mean to bring this to DR but it unintentionally (in some cases intentionally) brings these social ills to surface as well.
 

CarpeDReam

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How does gay tourism make it not family friendly? LMQAO!

If Brewster keeps poking at the topic--if anything, there will be a campaign to crack down the already existing gay tourist market because now certain sectors will feel that 'it's getting out of hand' or 'it's growing because of international support' or 'this is a result of the support from the US envoy' (even though it already exists). He should just stay shut and enjoy the existing gay bars and the overall gay friendly atmosphere that does exist despite this being a 'machista society' and do some real work in helping the DR-US relations.
 

the gorgon

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Agreed but actively pursuing it pretty much makes it more of a mainstream market and I don't think that's in DR's best interest. If this happens you can forget about it being a 'family friendly' destination. It just opens it up to a completely different type of tourism. Again, not gay bashing here...but what does Brewster really envision gay tourism to be if not subliminally sex tourism.

newsflash...

the DR is not subliminally anything. it ranks number 4 in the world in the exportation of prostitutes. every single caribbean island i can think of is crawling with Dominican prostitutes. my buddy just came back from Guyana, and way down in the outback, by the Essequibo River, he found a club with at least 15 Dominican chicas. they are everywhere. Jamaica is full of them. the Turks, St Maarten, you name it. Brewster is not going to make a dent on the sex tourism issue. it was here long before he came, and it will be here long after he is gone. this might come as a shock to you, but if there wasn?t such a booming sex business here, many guys would not come here.
 
I'm pretty sure brewster just wants to let gays know it is safe to come here and I am not sure what gay people you know but we are not all about partying sex and drugs... Believe it or not some actually want to come and vacation with their gay families and have a nice peaceful vacation. Your statement sounds VERY ignorant!
 

CarpeDReam

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newsflash...

the DR is not subliminally anything. it ranks number 4 in the world in the exportation of prostitutes. every single caribbean island i can think of is crawling with Dominican prostitutes. my buddy just came back from Guyana, and way down in the outback, by the Essequibo River, he found a club with at least 15 Dominican chicas. they are everywhere. Jamaica is full of them. the Turks, St Maarten, you name it. Brewster is not going to make a dent on the sex tourism issue. it was here long before he came, and it will be here long after he is gone. this might come as a shock to you, but if there wasn?t such a booming sex business here, many guys would not come here.

I'm not talking about what dominicans do outside of the DR--that may be an unfortunate reality but it has nothing to do with tourism in the DR. The fact that it's 'number 4' is also a sad reality but this does not mean that it makes sense for the DR to actively pursue any market (be it gay or men looking for young prostitutes) that may lead to these realities becoming even more mainstream and supported by the government on an official basis.

How many politicians in the US have been caught being part of a professional escort service? some of them (ie. Spitzer in NY) were even part of campaigns cracking down on them--this being a reality does not mean it's in the best interest of a government to support it and promote it.
 

the gorgon

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I'm not talking about what dominicans do outside of the DR--that may be an unfortunate reality but it has nothing to do with tourism in the DR. The fact that it's 'number 4' is also a sad reality but this does not mean that it makes sense for the DR to actively pursue any market (be it gay or men looking for young prostitutes) that may lead to these realities becoming even more mainstream and supported by the government on an official basis.

How many politicians in the US have been caught being part of a professional escort service? some of them (ie. Spitzer in NY) were even part of campaigns cracking down on them--this being a reality does not mean it's in the best interest of a government to support it and promote it.

Dominican chicas are in the rest of the world solely because there are too many for all of them to compete for the market locally. my point is that nothing is going to exacerbate the sex tourism issue here. it already passed critical mass.
 

Marcion

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I was unaware that the advocacy of homosexual anal play had become the top priority of our international agenda.

Ship Wally and his lisping, sashaying entourage back to a leather bar on Fire Island before he does more damage to our relations with the DR.

What a total embarrassment to American tourists.
 
I was unaware that the advocacy of homosexual anal play had become the top priority of our international agenda.

Ship Wally and his lisping, sashaying entourage back to a leather bar on Fire Island before he does more damage to our relations with the DR.

What a total embarrassment to American tourists.

I'm thinking you're more of an embarrASSment to Americans!
 

CarpeDReam

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I'm pretty sure brewster just wants to let gays know it is safe to come here and I am not sure what gay people you know but we are not all about partying sex and drugs... Believe it or not some actually want to come and vacation with their gay families and have a nice peaceful vacation. Your statement sounds VERY ignorant!

If this is what he wants to say he should be more specific. I guarantee you it will not be taken this way. Or he should at least make it clear what he means by gay tourism so that it's not misconstrued. Like I said before I know most gays are not looking for this type of tourism but to push for the DR gov to actively promote to this market will just create more enemies for himself, disrupt the existing gay market, unfortunately also open up undesirable markets, and again, of all things to push for, this should not be high on his list. I don't think it's in his best interest or the DR's to do this openly. The fact that it's a gay friendly destination should be enough for gay families to know it's safe to come here.

Harley--I have many gay friends and am not ignorant. I know how you may take offense but I'm not saying anything bad about gay people.
 

CristoRey

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This is the only country in the world with a picture of the bible on the flag. A little conflict of interest?
 

Marcion

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If this is what he wants to say he should be more specific. I guarantee you it will not be taken this way. Or he should at least make it clear what he means by gay tourism so that it's not misconstrued. Like I said before I know most gays are not looking for this type of tourism but to push for the DR gov to actively promote to this market will just create more enemies for himself, disrupt the existing gay market, unfortunately also open up undesirable markets, and again, of all things to push for, this should not be high on his list. I don't think it's in his best interest or the DR's to do this openly. The fact that it's a gay friendly destination should be enough for gay families to know it's safe to come here.

Harley--I have many gay friends and am not ignorant. I know how you may take offense but I'm not saying anything bad about gay people.

I remember back when gays said, "we just want to be left alone."

Now it's, "shut up and leave us alone while we promote homosexual anal play to foreign countries -- using your TAX DOLLARS to do it."

If nothing else, watching Rome in its last days is amusing...and predictable.
 
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