AUSTRALIA'S gay nomads have praised the nation's peak caravanning body
for its involvement in this year's 40th anniversary Sydney Mardi Gras.
The Caravanning Industry Association of Australia, in conjunction with
Caravan and Camping Industry Association of New South Wales and Apollo
Motorhomes, displayed a float with Australia’s Gay Nomads at the
world-renowned event.
It was the second time the association had been involved in the celebrations.
Lynne Hocking, founder of Australia’s Gay Nomads, said the
support meant a lot to the group.
It had about 20 marchers carrying tents with a brightly coloured motorhome
bearing a rainbow behind them.
One member said she had been looking forward to it because it had been on
her bucket list for 40 years.
Ms Hocking said the motorhome
"really stood out" compared with other floats.
"There’s something about the big motorhome and the thought of camping that
just really just got the crowd going," she said
"It’s so different, the signage and everything is great, it really stands
out and it's the most unusual float.
"As a result of this support we have had some pretty amazing follow up
through our Facebook page … caravan parks and small businesses are asking
to be promoted on our site, and we are trying to have a directory of
people which will then be supported by the Rainbow Accreditation Program."
Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive Stuart Lamont
said the high yielding niche market was an important one to be working
with.
"This demographic is an area of opportunity for the caravanning and
camping industry and generally enjoys spending time on outdoor leisure
activities," he said.
"The caravanning and camping industry is a very open community and
suitable for everybody. We are very pleased to support the gay leisure
travel market."
The gay leisure travel market in Australia
is worth abut $965 million a year.
