Online Dating Websites Sponsor 'Romance Tours'

Описание: (2 Oct 2006) HEADLINE: Online Dating Websites Sponsor 'Romance Tours'
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Finding a husband is not easy if you're a woman in Ukraine. In the former Soviet Republic, there are only eighty six men for every one hundred women. (Oct. 2)
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Finding a husband is not easy if you're a woman in Ukraine. In the former Soviet Republic, there are only eighty six men for every one hundred women.

But this bus full tourists could change that. They're not here for the sights. They're not here for the culture. These lonely tourists are here looking for a wife.

A struggling economy and a high male death rate has forced many of the women here to turn to websites such as Anastasiaweb.com to find their ideal mate.

UPSOUND: MALE "I SAW MOTLEY CRUE ON THEIR REUNION TOUR."

For five thousand dollars the men are given access to the agency's database of women and a chance to meet them at organized events called 'Romance Tours.'

The majority of the women participants are twenty five years old whereas the men are all middle aged.For one attendee, this presents somewhat of a dilemma .

SOT BOB LAKE, AMERICAN 'ROMANCE TOUR' PARTICIPANT:
"YEAH, I COULD GO FOR A 24-YEAR OLD BUT THEN I GOT TO REMEMBER I'M 52, SO WHEN I'M 72 AND ON VIAGRA - IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. IT'D BE GREAT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, A LOT OF FUN BUT IT'D BE JUST LIKE HAVING A TROPHY AND THAT WOULD BE WRONG. AND ALSO IT'D BE WRONG FOR THE LADY TOO, TO BE MARRIED TO SOMEONE THAT OLD AND WHEN I GET OLDER AND SHE'S IN HER 40'S AND I'M IN MY 70'S. THAT'S WHY I'M LOOKING FOR 35 TO 44."

Sixty five-year old Arthur McCracken takes a less romantic view of his search for a wife.

SOT ARTHUR MCCRACKEN, AMERICAN 'ROMANCE TOUR' PARTICIPANT:
"SHE MIGHT NOT LIKE WHAT I DO WHEN WE GET IN BED AND THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING ABOUT HER I DON'T LIKE. IF SHE'S A VIRGIN IT'D BE DIFFERENT BUT I DON'T THINK THEY MAKE THEM ANY MORE. SO, YOU KNOW, I NEED A TEST DRIVE."

But for many of the women, finding the ideal soulmate just isn't possible without reaching across borders.

Tatiana says in her opinion American men are more desirable because they're more affectionate and less prone to alcoholism.

For Marina and Tony the 'tour' ends in happiness.

TONY CAUSILL, AMERICAN 'ROMANCE TOUR' PARTICIPANT:
"TOWARDS THE END I SAW HER SITTING THERE LOOKING KIND OF UNHAPPY SO I WENT OVER THERE TO TRY AND CHEER HER UP. AND WE HIT IT OFF RIGHT FROM THEN AND THE REST IS PRETTY MUCH HISTORY."

But for others, the search goes on until the the next 'Romance Tour' comes to town.
[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]

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