TY - THES AU - Blischke, Maria T1 - Gay and Lesbian Travel in Switzerland DA - 2006 CY - Chur PB - Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft HTW Chur A3 - Gerber, Dominique Roland AB - Gay and lesbian travel is a niche product in the tourism industry. Since a few years Switzerland engages in this market mainly in the United States and the United Kingdom. Often marketers and tourism suppliers are not aware of the specialities that come along with targeting the segment of gays and lesbians and how to reach them effectively. The paper is made up of mainly two parts. The first section gives an overview on the segment, its motives to travel and its behavioural patterns. Derived from those characteristics, certain service requirements for the US and UK gay community coming to Switzerland are developed. Furthermore specialities in marketing to this group are indicated with a short description of what actions have been taken already in Switzerland concerning attracting gay and lesbian travellers. The second section of the paper covers practical examples of already established gay events both, internationally and nationally with the focus on winter tourism. Well known ski weeks in Whistler, Canada and Lenzerheide, Switzerland serve as an example of how to approach this niche market. Within the last section of this paper the Arosa Gay Ski Week, the biggest gay ski event in Switzerland, and its future prospects are described. M3 - Diplomarbeit Tourismus M4 - Citavi ER -