Rock The Carriage
A humorous 45-second video that suggests but doesn't actually depict daytime sex between two male calèche drivers in Old Montreal has attracted more than 4,500 views on YouTube - and a single emailed complaint calling it "inappropriate," according to the tourism-promotion agency behind it.
The English-language ad, titled Dave Does Montreal, is part of an online advertising campaign with a $50,000 budget launched Oct. 20 by Tourism Montreal and expected to last one month.
In the video, a young male narrator stands in the foreground, extolling the city's architecture, cuisine, chic boutique hotels, ambience and other attributes.
While he talks, it becomes apparent some sort of vigorous, rhythmic activity is taking place in one of two horse-drawn carriages parked behind him.
About two-thirds of the way into the ad, the physical rocking stops and two men emerge from the calèche. One is clearly dishevelled, with his shirt askew; he gets into the driver's seat of the second calèche. The other man adjusts his pants then lowers the caléche roof, which had been shielding their activity.
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The ad is part of an initiative that has helped boost the annual number of gay and lesbian visitors to Montreal in the past decade to an estimated 450,000 from 300,000, said Pierre Bellerose, Tourism Montreal's vice-president of research, development and public relations. Such tourists account for six per cent of the total 7.5 million visitors a year, he said.
Gay porn star/director/producer, Michael Lucas is about to add tour guide to his resume – the head of Lucas Entertainment announced on his website that he is going to start taking groups of tourists to Israel.
Lucas writes: “It is no secret that Israel is one of my favorite places in the entire world, and I travel there at least twice every year to visit my favorite parties, restaurants, historical monuments, beaches, resorts, and most importantly, all of the close friends and wonderful people I have met throughout the course of my travels. What I love about Israel is that it is extremely modern while maintaining such an amazing and diverse sense of history: You can be in urban Tel Aviv, one of the most gay-friendly cities on earth, surrounded by skyscrapers, and then drive 40 minutes to ancient Jerusalem and see craftsmanship and architecture that is over 2,000 years old. It is incredible!
Although I am uncut, I’m 100 percent Jewish. I was born to a Jewish mother and a Jewish Father (his name is Bregman—can’t get more Jewish that). I’ve been exposed to anti-Semitism in Russia, and so, I’ve always had a warm place for Israel in my heart (and groin, have you ever seen those Israeli men?). It makes me happy to think it has a warm place in its heart for me."
Lucas promises this will not be your typical tourist’s look at Israel – evidenced by his description of the tour’s planned trip to Gaash Beach. “This is the premiere clothing-optional beach in Tel-Aviv known only to insiders. You can feel free to lie in the sun as nude as you’d like, enjoy the ocean, or feel free to watch any number of hot guys have sex up and down the shore! I have traveled all around the world and never encountered a beach like this one.”
Launching the end of May 2010, the inaugural two-week tour brings visitors on an extensive journey through the breathtaking nation of Israel, personally accompanied by Michael Lucas. Lucas has partnered with top experts in the Israeli tourism industry to contract the best amenities for the trip, including licensed guides and luxury hotels. The premiere group will visit notable historic sites, numerous restaurants, beaches, and resorts, along with several other locations that provide for the experience of a lifetime.
Total cost of the trip is $4,799
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Las Vegas is the rare resort town to make frequent appearances in top 10 lists of the most popular U.S. gay destinations without having a highly visible gayborhood. Rashad Robinson, who oversees the Advertising Media Program for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, says the city is savvy about showcasing its diverse attractions and activities to appeal to the diversity of the gay community.
Best U.S. Destination
Best Global Destination
Best Breakout Destination
Best Gay Bar in the World
Best Annual Gay Destination Event
Best LGBT Tour Operator
Best Airline
Best Hotel Chain/Collection
Best Ultimate Luxury Hotel or Resort
Sexiest Place on Earth
Gay+ Award for Achievement in Making this World Gayer
The effort has paid off, said the group's vice president of communications, 
n recent years, Southwest and GPTMC spent $125,000 promoting Philadelphia as diverse and gay-friendly. The airline launched its Web page targeting gay and lesbian business and leisure travelers to Philadelphia on Monday. While Southwest also tailors marketing to Hispanic, African American, and Asian travelers, the city-specific Web page is its first, Atchison said.
