IGLTA Facts
IGLTA is the world's leading travel trade association committed to growing and enhancing its members' gay and lesbian tourism business through education, promotion and networking.
Founded in 1983, with 25 founding members, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) is today a 1000 plus member strong and growing organization of gay, lesbian and community friendly travel professionals.
- accommodations
- airlines
- car rental companies
- cruise lines
- local tourist offices
- regional and national tourist boards
- travel agencies
- travel media
- tour operators
- and other businesses marketing to the gay/lesbian traveler, on all five continents.
IGLTA's Headquarters are located at:
915 Middle River Drive, Suite 306
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304
United States of America
Under the direction of Tom Nibbio, the Global Sales & Marketing Office is located in Chicago, Illinois. Tom is responsible for overseeing IGLTA’s entire Global Sales Team. The Team focuses on acquiring new membership, development of annual corporate sponsorships, support of IGLTA members and communication with media, government and tourism offices. In addition, Tom oversees and presents IGLTA’s educational seminar titled “ALL WELCOME!”. The seminar is designed for corporations and destinations interested in creating a gay-friendly, diversity-based environment. Tom and the Global Team of Ambassadors also host IGLTA Regional Receptions inviting current and prospective members and local media for additional networking opportunities. The Ambassadors also represents IGLTA’s membership at various popular trade shows and consumer expos worldwide.
The boom in gay travel globally has encouraged the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association to appoint its first full-time Ambassador to Europe. Carlos Kytka is responsible for ensuring that the gay travel trade is widely recognized as a major sector of the tourism industry. He works with national tourist boards, tourism schools and government departments within Europe so that they recognize the strength of this important market. He also helps to develop the facilities and attitudes necessary to attract gay tourists to and from Europe. Carlos also oversees the European National Ambassadors.
IGLTA's 26th Anniversary Convention will be in Toronto, Canada! From 07 - 10 May the capital of Ontario will be home to amazing break-out sessions, some power networking, great times and important education. Stay tuned to the IGLTA website for more information and registration in the future. The IGLTA Convention website will be live around 01 September 2008 so keep watching!
Each year, IGLTA members organize Symposia / FAM Trips to various parts of the globe that might be of interest to GLBT travelers. Recently, symposia have taken place in Costa Rica, Dallas, Antwerp, Chicago, Barcelona, New York City, Buenos Aires, Curacao, Lisbon and Tuscany. IGLTA will be visiting Peru and Turkey in 2008 and Brazil in 2009. Keep watching IGLTA's website for more information about these and upcoming trips!
Membership in IGLTA is open to all travel and travel-related businesses and professionals who wish to support the gay/lesbian travel industry throughout the world. Your participation in the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association will be a rewarding experience for you and your business. Think of IGLTA as both your business guild and your trade organization. For more information about membership, please visit our Members section of the website by using the links on the left.
Our newsletter blog is the voice of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. Our consistently updated blog contains articles highlighting members, product and destination information from around the world and new trends. To submit articles and other content, please contact Richard Brower at Richard@IGLTA.org. To visit the blog, please go to http://igltanews.blogspot.com/.
Our website is a powerful marketing tool that presents information about IGLTA and its membership, including a complimentary internet link and listing that advertises your business, location, and contact numbers. Our website also includes: website banner advertising opportunities, our global calendar of events, and a consumer portal to find your business. To advertise on our website, or for more information, please contact Richard Brower at Richard@IGLTA.org. |
