Welcome to Fort Lauderdale

Greater Fort Lauderdale has grown up since its "spring break" days of the 60s, 70s and 80s. The students have been replaced with sophisticated Europeans, hip Americans, savvy Latinos, and gay and lesbian travelers. Currently undergoing a major tourism-related transformation, the destination offers an ideal year-round climate, wide variety of attractions, sports and quality accommodations, fine dining and shopping and unrivaled gay nightlife.

Greater Fort Lauderdale has more than 100 gay-owned establishments including hotels/guesthouses, bars, clubs and restaurants, plus the second largest Metropolitan Community Church congregation in the United States and three gay and lesbian publications. There are three popular gay beach areas on Fort Lauderdale's 23 miles of wide, sandy beach (State Road A1A opposite NE 18 Street; Terramar Street at A1A; and Sebastian Street at A1A).

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Rainbow Vacation Planner site and 2008 Vacation Planner serve as a complete guide dedicated to gay and lesbian travel along our sunny shores. The Rainbow Vacation Planner site includes a detailed list of gay-friendly hotels and resorts, plus information on restaurants, shopping, nature and adventure attractions, fitness clubs, arts and entertainment.

A multitude of gay-owned establishments in Wilton Manors, a bustling hotspot for residents and visitors, offer several dining, nightlife and shopping options including Georgie's Alibi, Hamburger Mary's, Galanga Thai Kitchen & Sushi Bar, and Chardee's. Other trendy places to "see and be seen" include Las Olas Boulevard Café and Cathode Ray on Chic Las Olas Blvd.

"Our overall marketing strategy includes a strong focus on the gay and lesbian traveler," said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It is a market that we have been very successful in attracting to our destination, and a large part of that success is due to the diverse tourism product that we offer. Our easy to navigate Fort Lauderdale Rainbow Vacation Planner site puts everything in one place and makes it easy to choose a hotel or create a complete vacation itinerary."

From arts and entertainment to beaches and boating, the Fort Lauderdale Rainbow Vacation Planner site is a SUNsational start to planning a "gay" vacation in Greater Fort Lauderdale. "It has been extremely satisfying to see Fort Lauderdale surge in popularity as the #1 gay resort destination in North America, due in part to our savvy rainbow marketing campaign," says Richard Gray, gay liaison to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and proprietor of the award-winning Royal Palms Resort. "More than 860,000 gay travelers visited Fort Lauderdale in 2005 and spent more than $850 million," said Gray.

"The Greater Fort Lauderdale Rainbow Vacation Planner site is an impressive resource for gay travelers and is a welcome step "out" for a CVB to offer such a comprehensive gay guide," said Ed Salvato, travel editor of PlanetOut Inc and travel expert commentator on Sirius Satellite Radio's OutQ station.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Rainbow Vacation Planner site is also an excellent resource for meeting planners that specialize in the gay and lesbian market. This year's planner will be distributed to national and local gay and lesbian businesses, organizations and meeting planners to provide a valuable resource on the diverse offerings available throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale. For your free copy, call (800) 22-SUNNY or visit www.sunny.org/rainbow.