Fridae

Religious conservatives in Cape Town are upset that their city is being positioned as a gay paradise.

The surge in gay tourism has prompted Errol Naidoo, a spokesman for His People Christian Church to write a letter to a local paper, saying that the presence of gays violates biblical beliefs and that Christians see homosexuality as a 'sinful lifestyle' and are offended to 'see the city promoted in this way'.

The Muslim Judicial Council, which represents 600,000 Muslims is also behind Naidoo.

However, gays and business leaders say that Cape Town needs the economic benefits that gay tourism brings. Mike Thomson, who heads the local business chamber told Reuters, "The US experience tells us gay tourism is big bucks, and tourism is fundamentally vital to our future in this part of the world".

Cape Town has been rated the fifth most desirable destination for gays and lesbians in the world by Spartacus guide for gay travellers.