NEW YORK --
Sandals Resorts this week quietly lifted its longstanding ban on
bookings by gay couples at its Caribbean vacation
properties. According to a company
statement, the resort chain now has refined its policies to welcome
all adult couples.
The move follows a yearlong
battle of wills with authorities in London, England, who had banned
Sandals advertisements in the public transit system because they
discriminated against lesbians and gay men, according to the office
of London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
The companys ads had once contained the caveat
mixed sex couples only.
While Livingstones
office took credit in official press releases for the about-face at
Sandals, a spokesperson for the Kingston, Jamaica-based chain said
the change had long been under consideration as the company
expanded its brand.
Sandals Resorts
remains committed to offering a romantic concept that will continue
to cater to couples in love, the spokesperson added.
To contact
reporter Kenneth Kiesnoski, send e-mail to [email protected].