Curacao Markets to Gay Community with New Web Site

Forging new marketing ground for the Caribbean, the Curacao Tourist Board launched a Web site aimed at courting gay and lesbian leisure travelers.

The site, located at www.gaycuracao.com and subtitled "We Live and Let Live," was launched to specifically showcase the island as a "gay-friendly" destination, according to officials.

"This Web site not only shows that we are open to all walks of life, but that we embrace it and have attractions and hotels that specifically support the [gay] lifestyle," said Jim Hepple, Curacao´s director of tourism, in a statement.

Gaycuracao.com highlights five hotels on the island that belong to the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) -- the Avila Beach Hotel, Floris Suite Hotel, Hilton Curacao, Hotel Kura-Hulanda and Papayago Beach Resort -- as well as seven other gay-friendly hotels, and nightspots popular with locals and visitors.

Other key features include a bulletin board for postings; an island overview, including history and location; activity listings; and -- in the near future -- online booking links.