LGBT Travel in the Caribbean to Be Discussed at Conference in Curacao

LGBT travel within the Caribbean can be a touchy subject, especially among tourism officials from islands with deep-rooted religious beliefs.

But that won't keep the issue from being discussed at the upcoming State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2015 in Curacao, which is often considered the most LGBT-friendly island in the region.

"I think around the world, the LGBT market is still an issue that is being delegated," Hugh Riley, secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) told Travel Agent on Monday. "Whether that is fortunate or unfortunate, that is the reality. But it is an important subject that needs to be discussed."

The SOTIC will take place from October 21-23 at the World Trade Center in Willemstad to address the biggest concerns and opportunities for Caribbean tourism.

The CTO and Curacao planned a program that will include current issues - some controversial and vexing – as well as opportunities for substantially enhancing the Caribbean’s tourism sector.
 
The SOTIC usually brings together about 300 tourism industry leaders from the 30 member-countries of the CTO, as well as representatives of the regional and international private sector, academics, media, students, travel trade partners and other industry stakeholders from within and outside the region.

“Curacao is really hot right now,” says Riley. “They are aggressively attracting new airlift and they have the ability to satisfy the demands of a growing, more competitive market.”

In July of last year, JetBlue Airways announced its new non-stop service from New York to Curacao, making the airline the only carrier to offer nonstop flights from New York to Curacao. During the same month, Air Canada announced its new non-stop service from Montreal to Curacao, establishing the airline as the first to offer direct routes from Montreal to Curacao. That flight officially launched January 1 of this year.

“This is the first time Curacao is hosting a State of the Industry Conference, but we have had CTO conferences there in the past,” says Riley, “because Curacao is always paying attention to what is happening to tourism around the world.”

Source: Travel Agent Central