Israel's new Web site, Gay-Tel-Aviv.com, devoted to gay-friendly tourism to Tel Aviv, Israel's cosmopolitan city by the Mediterranean, is now online and packed with information for gays and lesbians wishing a unique vacation experience.

The site was designed due to the Tel Aviv Tourist Association's increased interest in taking a proactive approach in promoting Tel Aviv as a prime gay and lesbian destination. The site features a gay map, information about gay-friendly hotels, gay dance bars and gay-friendly pubs and restaurants, as well as other notes on activities and places to visit.

Yael Adar, founder of Travel and Events in Israel, said, "At GayTelAviv.com you'll be able to book gay-friendly hotels, or a package tour. If visitors prefer, we customize a tour based on their needs or desires. You will also find useful information about Tel Aviv, known to locals as the 'city that never sleeps,' as well as an array of data about Israel to help you plan your trip."

Tel Aviv is home to a vibrant gay and lesbian community, beautiful beaches and warm Mediterranean waters, trendy night life, great cuisine, interesting architecture and spectacular sunny weather.

The folks at Community Marketing have done a survey to find out where gay men and lesbians like to travel.

Top 5 Destinations for American Gay Men:

1) New York  2) Las Vegas  3) San Francisco  4) Los Angeles / West Hollywood  5) Chicago

Top 5 Destinations for American Lesbians:

1) Las Vegas  2) San Francisco  3) New York  4) Los Angeles / West Hollywood  5) Chicago

Top 5 Destinations for American LGBT Seniors Age 62+

1) New York  2) Las Vegas  3) Los Angeles / West Hollywood  4) Fort Lauderdale  5) San Francisco

Top 5 Destinations for American LGBT Young Adults Age 18-32:

1) New York  2) Las Vegas  3) San Francisco  4) Chicago  5) Washington DC

There are 4-big gay and lesbian charter companies, Atlantis Events, RSVP, Olivia and R-Family Vacations.They span the globe from the Caribbean to South America to Mexico to Alaska,with unique, one-of-a-kind, high-seas adventures for gay men and lesbians. 

The high repeat guest rate and enviable satisfaction measures of these "Big Four" attest to the amazing variety of activities, parties, memorable locales, entertainment options and diversity of fellow passengers available only on these mega-ships, which can carry up to 2,800 passengers. All the passengers are gay or lesbian and the crews on all the ships are more than welcoming. Cruisers in search of more intimate and low-key vacations now have even more choices in the form of a new small-ship cruises from Travelpride and Romance Voyages. These two niche players (catering primarily to gay men), carry from dozens to a few hundred passengers. 

One important tip. You will not spend much time in your room, except for sleep, (and whatever) so don't make a big fuss about the size of your cabin. Inside cabins have no windows or balconies, but they are the cheapest cabins on a ship.

Gays Not Flocking to Hawaii Anymore? One of Hawaii's leading business newspapers has raised the  question: "Why is the state's appeal as a gay destination falling?" The Pacific Business News reported   that Hawaii's "desirability among gays and lesbians as a travel destination is on the decline.No Hawaii city, such as gay-friendly Honolulu, Waikiki and Maui, made a  list of the top US destination for LGBT travelers. A survey conducted by Community Marketing included survey data from 4,726 US gay consumers and was conducted during the 30-day period from October 6, 2009 to November 5, 2009. It estimates that the US gay community represents a $65 billion travel market.