On the heels of a successful campaign to have the first municipal Domestic Partnership Registry in Arkansas, gay and lesbian business owners in Eureka Springs are now joining forces to create the first gay business association in the state. The goal, advocates say, is to bring more gay tourists to a resort town that has had a long history of being a gay-friendly travel destination.

According to the Associated Press, gay tourism is a $55 billion a year industry, representing about 10 percent of the American tourist market. Each dollar spent by gay travelers generates more than $150 for a local economy. At least 75 cities around the world now have marketing campaigns aimed specifically at gay and lesbian travelers, as do travel companies like Orbitz, Travelocity, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

This week alone, at least nine gay/lesbian businesses expressed interest in joining a new Eureka Springs Gay Business Guild. The first meeting of the group is scheduled for 6 p.m. August 15 at the Harken Building at 50 N. Main St.

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