June 16, 2014
Atlantic City Courting Gay Tourism Market
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Atlantic City is planning a series of events to attract gay tourists, who are becoming an increasingly important part of the resort's growth strategy.
Mayor Don Guardian and tourism officials will outline the plans at a news conference Monday afternoon.
Events include Sand Blast, a 3-day beach party weekend in July targeted to the gay community; the StandOUT Expo, a business-to-business networking event in September for the LGBT community, and the Miss'd America Pageant, a drag spoof of the famous pageant, also in September.
The mayor also will dedicate a gay-friendly beach in Atlantic City.
The resort is trying to broaden its appeal beyond a gambling mecca by emphasizing restaurants, shops, nightclubs, spas and other attractions.