Taiwan is gambling it pays to know your audience.

Slowly making the Internet rounds is the announcement of G5, heralded as the largest gay "circuit party" in the Far East. A themed event that follows a circuit of locations, promoters promise music, shows, dazzling special effects, and hoards of scantily-clad men all in the glittery heart of Taipei, the capital. Tourism officials, however, hope for something more. A lot more.

Like Us on Facebook

In its bid to raise its presence on the world stage, Taiwan has been pushing hard to increase tourist numbers. Lagging behind rivals Japan and China, the country's tourism bureau recently teamed up with Google to create a personalized ad campaign to promote itself. Local businesses are also getting in on the game, aiming to lure more specific markets. This includes the formidable gay and lesbian niche.

The United States alone rakes in $65 billion thanks to LGBTQ tourism. Bangok, Antwerp, Amsterdam, and Puerto Vallarta specifically target gay tourists, touting gay-friendly or gay-owned hotels, bars, beaches, and events. In terms of crowds, the gay pride parade in Ireland is second only to the St. Patrick's Day parade; the Tel-Aviv counterpart is the largest parade in Israel. With distant Thailand as its nearest competitor, Taiwan is eyeing what is a huge market in a region with a conspicuous lack of LGBTQ draws. It is hoped G5, which swings into gear over the New Year, puts the country not only on the gay map but by extension on the short-list as a destination for all travelers. 

Although not known for it, Taiwan is the most liberal society in Pacific Asia with regards to gays and lesbians. Taipei is dotted with shrines to Tu Er Shen, the Taoist god of gay men, and the issue of gay marriage has made greater gains in its government than in Japan, China, or even Australia. Several Taiwanese websites have sprung up with guides for gay travelers to the island.

"I think Taiwan is more open than other countries," said Chang Yuan Shao to the Taipei Times. Owner of a gay bookstore in Ximen, Taipei's gay district, he observed, "People can walk down the street here in Ximen and hold hands and nobody cares." 

TagsTaiwan, Taipei, G5, Gay, gay travel, LGBTQ, Tu Er Shen