New Delhi, March 14: As an American gay couple, who had come to India to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their relationship, headed back to the airport their cabbie had a word of advice for them.

“Why don’t you bring your wives along the next time for a more enjoyable trip?” he asked.

Such gaffes will be a thing of the past if the Indian travel industry has its way. It’s not only pulling out the stops to court gays and lesbians but actually enticing them to marry in India “with your beloved decked like a prince against a palatial backdrop”.

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), buoyed by the rise in homosexual tourism this season, is gearing to sensitise taxi drivers, tourist guides and hotel staff. Travel companies are scrambling to come out with exclusive offers for gays and lesbians, including honeymoon and wedding packages.

India now has four tour operators dedicated exclusively to homosexual tourism. All of them were launched immediately after last year’s Delhi High Court judgment de-criminalised homosexuality.

“Many countries have realised the potential of this fast-growing segment and we should not miss the opportunity,’’ IATO president Vijay Thakur said, adding that gay tourism was expected to pick up in India in a big way by next year.

“India is already one of the favourite destinations among homosexuals. But there is a need to sensitise the entire tourism sector,’’ he added.

Vicky Narang of Pinkcity explained why the industry was so excited. “Homosexual tourists fall in the double income-no-kids (DINK) category. Their spending capabilities are much higher than those of the average tourist,” he said.

Ifthikhar Khan of Indjapink said the company had introduced a wedding and honeymoon package for gay couples. Although gay marriages are not yet legal in India, such wedding parties are not banned, either.

“Savour the most romantic moments of your life as you embark on a blissful journey of togetherness,” the brochure for the package says.

“We ensure that as a gay couple you receive the same honeymoon benefits as offered to straight couples, such as room upgrades, private dinners for two, spa treatments and more.”

IndjaPink, which had offered the first “all-gay’’ tour package in India, says its clients were provided with “gay-friendly’’ chauffeurs and hotel staff wherever they went. “Apart from sightseeing, IndjaPink also offers gay parties, cooking classes and spa trips.”

“I had a wonderful time in India in the company of friendly, caring, good-looking men,’’ said Stephen Martin, who is on his way back to the US after a two-week stay here.

Industry sources say gays outnumbered lesbians this season and that most of them came from the US and western Europe. The most popular destinations were Goa, Rajasthan, Kerala, the Northeast and the Nilgiris.

World-wide, countries such as Thailand, Mexico and Brazil are very popular with homosexual tourists. Gay and lesbian tourism is said to be a $500 million business in the US.