The infamous city of gambling, gluttony, and endless nights of fabulous parties is quickly becoming one of the hottest gay vacation destinations in North America.

“Readers may not realize it, but Las Vegas is the No. 2 most-visited gay and lesbian destination in the U.S.A.,” said Thomas Roth, President of Community Marketing, Inc. “In fact, it is the No. 1 destination among Gen-X and boomer lesbians.”

According to a study conducted by the Travel Industry Association (TIA), Las Vegas ranks as one of the top gay-friendly destinations in the United States. Meanwhile, in its 2006 Annual LGBT Travel Survey, Community Marketing, Inc. confirmed Vegas’ claim to fame as second only to New York for most popular gay vacation destination.

“Las Vegas is an appealing destination for people from all walks of life,” said Glen Fishman at Community Marketing, Inc., who is working directly with Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas [GDNLV], a weekend excursion for gay and lesbian travelers. “It is truly an adult’s playground whether you are gay, straight, male, female, young or old. There are enough entertainment options here to suit all tastes. Las Vegas, [with] world class dining, shopping, spas and entertainment – including Cirque du Soleil – it is little wonder that the city has become a top gay travel destination.”

Truly something for everyone, Vegas has recently climbed the charts of popular gay vacation spots. “We have, as most cities do, our gay and lesbian bars and clubs, a few bookstores, two bathhouses, cafés, social networks and yes, our one fabulous gay hotel [for men], The Blue Moon, but that alone does not make Las Vegas a unique gay destination,” says Babs Daitch of Thanks Babs the Day Tripper, a day-trip sightseeing tour guide. “Las Vegas is a city that comes to life at night, and has always been a vibrant, exciting and 24/7/365 city within a small four-mile radius, branded as ‘The Strip,’ with lots of fun and lively places to stay, shopping, dining, shows and attractions for any budget. This is what sets us apart from all other cities. Of course gaming had been the No. 1 draw for many years, but that is definitely changing in today’s global gaming market. Las Vegas really has never had gay content to offer the tourist, but has always appeared to be an inclusive city – Sin City – with its reputation, as a destination for doing things here, you would not always do at home.”

The gay scene in Las Vegas isn’t as dynamic as it is in many U.S. cities, but it’s growing fast. Part of what has helped in more recent years is the opening of many trendy resort-casinos with a more adult theme, such as the Hard Rock Hotel, Mandalay Bay and Palms Casino. The city’s first gay resort – the Blue Moon – opened rather recently, and The Strip’s first gay nightclub – Krave – has been gaining popularity with locals and vacationers. In light of this trend, hotels, casinos, restaurants and other hot spots in Sin City have shifted some of their marketing to the GLBT community.

“The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA), touted as one of the richest convention and visitor’s bureaus in the world, had introduced a diversity initiative and appointed, maybe three years ago, sales and marketing director Mya Lake Reyes, who is completely devoted to the diversity market,” Daitch said. “They also added, may I say, a fair amount of money to attract the LGBT business and leisure traveler to this area through marketing campaigns to LGBT groups as well as other diversity segments, such as Asian-American[s], African Americans, Hispanic[s] and others … They produced a dedicated gay and lesbian brochure and are now running ads on gay cable networks, aimed to lure the gay and lesbian traveler to our region.

“An independent partnership, spearheaded by Community Marketing and other hotels, entertainment, shows, restaurants and outdoor partners, such as Thanks Babs The Day Tripper, are actively seeking to bring more LGBT content to Las Vegas through yearly events such as Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas. The IGLTA [The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association] had their largest annual convention in Las Vegas, in early May and blended much of their program for LGBT travel industry professionals with Las Vegas Pride events, it was a huge success and it really encouraged the gay community to work with the tourism industry. Everyone acknowledged the synergy that had developed, so we hope this will attract more business for the community as well.”

What makes Vegas’ popularity unique is its lack of a gay infrastructure, like what can be found in San Francisco’s Castro or San Diego’s Hillcrest.

“There was no real gay community,” Daitch said. “Vegas was a fractured city – a resort town and very transient. But it appears to me it was never set up to draw the tourist in, as in other places, such as New York, Key West, Palm Springs, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, San Diego, Montreal, London, Paris, etc. Most of the businesses that attract the LGBT visitor are not on The Strip, and may be a bit out of the way, like the bathhouses and saunas, book stores, cafes and our one fabulous gay hotel, The Blue Moon.”

“Most major North American metro areas from Toronto to San Diego have distinct gay neighborhoods,” Roth said. “But while Las Vegas lacks that feature, it more than makes up for it being a generally open, welcoming and fun place for everybody. LGBT visitors to Las Vegas aren’t looking for gay venues, they are looking for everything that mainstream America is looking for – entertainment, shopping, casinos, etc.. What we do look for is a genuinely gay-welcoming place to stay and play.”

While the majority of vacationers will come for the hotels, world-class restaurants, shows and outdoor adventures, many travelers will be hitting The Strip for GDNLV July 3-6.

Gay-welcoming businesses and community organizations will host the 2nd Annual GDNLV, a welcoming lineup of featured activities for LGBT visitors from around the world. The promotion launches on July 3 with 24/7 activities and entertainment. GDNLV 2008 is presented by Cirque du Soleil, Travelocity and host hotel Paris Las Vegas, and hosted by QVegas Magazine. Events benefit the Gay & Lesbian Center, Las Vegas Pride and the Liberace Foundation. Even better – there’s something for everyone at this much-anticipated event.

“During the research Community Marketing did for the LVCVA, we were told many times that what Las Vegas still lacks is a theme event for the LGBT community, featuring everything gay-welcoming about the city,” Roth said. “We decided to bring together all of our clients and partners across Las Vegas, and build a truly community-based event weekend. Cirque du Soleil was first to step up, and became the Presenting Partner of Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas. Without them, the event could not happen, both in terms of publicity support and content. Their shows and special offers have become the cornerstone of the Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas experience. Guests who book through the Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas block are treated to very rare and special experiences, including meet-and-greet, photo ops, welcome receptions, discounts and more.”

“We built on the successes of last year’s debut and then more than doubled the activities and fun,” Roth said of GDNLV 2008. “This includes more dedicated tours by Thanks Babs, pool parties, women’s parties, a casino tournament … the list goes on. Nobody should miss the specials that Cirque du Soleil is bringing to the event this year.”

Most travelers know Cirque du Soleil is one of Las Vegas’ biggest draws. For GDNLV Cirque du Soleil has rolled out the rainbow carpet for the gay and lesbian community.

Cirque’s involvement in GDNLV 2008 is a welcome step for the LGBT community.

“Cirque du Soleil saw this as an opportunity to support the celebration of Vegas Gay Pride and welcome the growing LGBT community. The goal is to one day be as large as Gay Days hosted by Disney,” said a Cirque spokesperson.

To book tickets to the shows (and get your special events invitation) call the Cirque du Soleil Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas show line at 1-888-352-0179.

The intimate mixture of Cirque du Soleil, some of Las Vegas’ hottest clubs, and Paris Las Vegas as the host hotel guarantee a weekend of fun, thrills and a daring new way to experience Vegas.

“The primary gathering will be French Kiss 2 at Paris Las Vegas on Thursday night, starting at 10 p.m.,” Roth said. “You don’t want to miss this party, sponsored by Paris and Instinct Magazine. The fun includes an open bar thanks to p.i.n.k. Vodka and TYKU, from 10 p.m. to midnight, and during that time we’ll have a sexy N2N Underwear fashion show, special guest appearances – did I say Chippendale’s? – and raffle lots of prizes. We have a suggested donation of $25 at the door, all of which is donated directly to community-based organizations.”

For detailed information on GDNLV, visit www.gaydaysandnights.com.

Whether participating in GDNLV or just in town to hit the strip, there’s plenty to do in the City that Never Sleeps.

“There is so much to do, many of us are now extending our stay beyond the typical two-night weekend,” Roth says. “Gay Days & Nights is July 3-6, but even with four full days you couldn’t take it all in. There are so many fun straight theme bars, you could get lost in them for days. But Las Vegas has gay and lesbian clubs, too. Krave is the first and only alternative club on the strip. It’s mostly LGBT but all are welcome, of course. It’s accessed from the Miracle Mile shops. On Saturdays, Candy Bar is the lesbian night out at Krave. Other community-based gay bars and clubs are found throughout the city, most notably in the ‘Fruit Loop’ area that includes Piranha, 8 1/2, Gipsy and others. Out of town visitors always feel welcome.”

Usually once a week, there is a gay or lesbian themed event happening for locals. Krave – the one alternative club on the strip has at least two gay-themed events each week. The bar scene will always be there for those who wish to enjoy it, but some of the older vacationers take pleasure in more of the networking and activities organized by the social networks for Las Vegas’ own gay and lesbian community, including Sin City Q Socials, weekly Tuesday Martini Socials for men, the Women Empowerment Network, Betty’s Outdoor Adventures and a weekly calendar of events with Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

“These groups orchestrate social gatherings throughout the valley and a few outdoor organizations like Nevada Outdoors and Betty’s Outdoor Adventures, set up hikes and camping activities throughout the year,” Daitch said.

For information on the hot events planned at Krave, visit www.kravelasvegas.com. For information on Piranha Nighclub and 8 1/2 Ultralounge, visit www.piranhalasvegas.com.

The host hotel, Paris Las Vegas, has gone all out this year to bring GDNLV the hottest venues and excellent hospitality while partying away in Sin City. Paris Las Vegas is designed to bring the spirit, excitement and savoir faire of the City of Paris to Las Vegas. Situated on the Las Vegas Strip, the 24-acre property features 2,916 guestrooms, an 85,000-square-foot casino and authentic replicas of French landmarks, including a 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower. Guests are invited to stroll down the cobblestone sidewalks of the shopping district, enjoy the 85,000-square-foot casino, dine in one of the resort’s 10 distinctive French restaurants, rejuvenate in the European health spa, relax by the two-acre, rooftop swimming pool and enjoy the aromas of freshly baking bread and European coffees.

This swanky hotel features authentic replicas of famous French landmarks, including the Arc de Triomphe and the Hôtel de Ville, as well as façades of the Paris Opera House and The Louvre. The resort’s signature replica is a 50-story half-scale Eiffel Tower, where visitors can dine in a gourmet restaurant 100 feet above The Strip, or travel (via glass elevator) to an observation deck at the top for a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Valley. From the French décor to the gaming, entertainment, famous landmark replicas, fine service and dining, Paris Las Vegas captures the essence of the great city of Paris. The parent company of Paris Las Vegas – Harrah’s Entertainment Inc – was awarded a perfect score by the Human Right Campaign in 2007, being the first gaming company to achieve this great honor. Committed to marketing to the gay and lesbian community Paris was nominated for a GLAAD award for its creative GLBT advertising campaign.

For more information call 800-625-1753 or visit www.gayparislasvegas.com.

Not in town for GDNLV 2008? There are still plenty of hotels to enjoy. For the men, the hands-down favorite is certainly the Blue Moon Resort. The Blue Moon Gay Resort Las Vegas is an adult-only exclusively gay property situated off the Las Vegas Strip, approximately five miles from McCarran International Airport.

Tropically themed with lush surroundings, Blue Moon Resort offers 33 deluxe rooms and 11 one-bedroom parlor suites. Parlor suites have a separate living room area, and an expanded bathroom with Roman Tub and walk-in closets. Blue Moon is Las Vegas’ only full service, all male resort. It includes a 10-man Jacuzzi grotto, a lushly landscaped lagoon pool area, a state-of-the-art steam room, Blue Moon Coffee House, and much more.

An outdoor specialist, Babs Daitch looks beyond the neon for a good time in the desert. “Anything from outdoor excursions like soaring over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter or stepping onto the Skywalk 4,000 feet above the Colorado River, kayaking Lake Mead, taking a discovery tour of Hoover Dam, hiking Red Rock Canyon, an ATV adventure at The Valley of Fire, traveling to a ghost town or gold mine, etc., we can keep anyone busy for at least a week,” Daitch says. “Vegas is surrounded by incredible natural beauty, much of it less than 30 minutes from the strip. A visitor can participate in extremely unique outdoor activities during the day and enjoy all that the Vegas strip has to offer at night, like Elton John, Cher, Bette Midler, Cirque du Soleil, Blue Man Group, Le Cage, Mama Mia, etc.”

Cindy Hall from the L Group Newsletter recommends looking towards the pre-existing LGBT community for ideas. “I’d say to stop by The Center and see what is going on there. Head to a few of the bars, check out some of the shows, see what else Vegas has to offer off The Strip. Go to the lake, the mountains, Valley of Fire, Red Rock. We live in such a great city that offers so many things to see and do, don’t spend all your time at the casinos!”

For more information on outdoor adventures, contact Babs Daitch at 702-370-6961 or visit www.thanksbabs.com.

Betty’s Outrageous Adventures, Las Vegas’ oldest and largest lesbian social group, the Women’s Empowerment Network & Thanks Babs are planning to party with an “OUT-rage-ously prideful” Fourth of July, late evening event: The Red, White and ultra BLEU post-Cirque du Soleil KA celebration at Gipsy. Saturday’s party is at Candy Bar with DJ Lisa Pittman spinning her sizzling sounds and a brunch social is planned for Sunday at the Host Hotel, Paris Las Vegas.