Larger Crowds Expected At SF Pride After Prop. 8, DOMA Rulings
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – This weekend's Pride celebration in San Francisco is expected to be an even bigger party this year, following the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decisions on same-sex marriage.
The court's decisions to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act and allow same-sex marriages to resume in California could also mean bigger financial rewards for the city's tourism industry and city coffers.
Peter Gomez with Joie de Vivre Hotels said bookings for this weekend at his group's San Francisco properties have gone up in the last day.
San Francisco Pride Celebration Expected to Be Financial Boon For City
"We've always sold out historically, but now, our phone demand has actually increased at our reservation centers for folks that are making last-minute trips to the San Francisco Bay Area," Gomez said.
Gomez adds that in many cases, people are booking longer than normal stays in the city for Pride this year.
Joe D'Alessandro, President and CEO of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the increased foot traffic is not only great news for hotels, but other businesses as well.
"If people are coming longer for Pride this year, they're going to spend more in the economy and it's going to have benefits that really go beyond just a one day or 48-hour event," he said. "Merchants in San Francisco, restaurants in San Francisco and attractions in San Francisco will all benefit."
Both Gomez and D'Alessandro said that in addition, many people from outside the Bay Area who travel to San Francisco for Pride often return for vacations in the future.
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