Faith Tourism?

Certainly, niche marketing is the most effective way to market any product or service. I've said this many times and if you were to read Laura's post, "Painting the Caribbean Pink" (which you should as it's very interesting) you'll see the success of such a practice in for California's tourism sector, in which they targeted the gay community.

I think it quite funny therefore, that we've been musing over the homosexual community and Senator Allen Chastanet (St. Lucia's Minister of Tourism and the current Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation) has his sights set on faith tourism. Admittedly, this is a group of people that do add to any community that they visit, "the social and humanitarian mission of the California-based Miles Ahead organisation...recently took 300 volunteers, including 80 medical professionals, and some US$5 million in free medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and health care to Jamaica. The volunteers, which included specialist doctors, pediatricians, surgeons, dentists and nurses, held free clinics and served local communities."

Also, there would be a lot less resistance from local communities - no more picketing from Bahamas and Tobago residents at gay cruiselines or Elton John - but I'm going to hazard a guess and say that gay visitors would be a lot more fun!