The report, produced from a Leadership Think Tank with 25 destination executives, offers insights into visitor management and how to best support and welcome LGBTQ+ travelers

 

Media Contact: LoAnn Halden

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NEW YORK CITY (20 June 2019)—The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Foundation (IGLTAF) white paper “Responsible Tourism Through the Lens of LGBTQ+ Travel” is now available for complimentary download at iglta.org/research. The report is the result of the IGLTAF Leadership Think Tank that attracted the participation of 25 destination executives during IGLTA’s 2019 Global Convention.

The white paper delves into three major issues discussed by the group: the presence of too many visitors in some locations and not enough in others; increasing interest in mainstream destinations or destinations new to the LGBTQ+ population; and cultural perceptions of LGBTQ+ visitors in some destinations.

Key insights include: managing destination demand through scheduling, promotion and tour operator collaboration; how mainstream destinations can benefit from expanding images of acceptance, encouraging LGBTQ+ welcoming activities and starting new activities; and ways to advocate for LGBTQ+ visitors and businesses.

“We are incredibly proud to have gathered so many destination leaders from around the globe to discuss key issues facing LGBTQ+ travel,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella. “Their thoughtful contributions to this discussion underscore their dedication to creating positive, inclusive experiences for everyone who visits the cities and countries they represent. The Foundation is committed to continuing this dialogue to facilitate the sharing of best practices within our industry.”

The Leadership Think Tank, presented with the support of Miles Partnership and Google and organized in collaboration with NYC & Company and NYU’s Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, included input from leaders at Destination Canada, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Cape Town Tourism, Destination DC, Italy National Tourist Board, Visit Dallas, Destination Niagara USA, Bermuda Tourism Authority, Tourism Jalisco, Discover Puerto Rico, Visit California, NYC & Company, Milano Smart City Association, Paris CVB, Destinations International, Tourism Madrid, Guam Visitors Bureau, U.S. Travel Association, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Barcelona Tourism, Visit Salt Lake City, Thailand Tourism, and Greater Miami CVB.

Daniela Wagner, Group Business Development Director, Jacobs Media Group & Director EMEA, Pacific Asia Travel Association, and Fred Mayo, MBA, PhD, CHE, CHT, Founder, Mayo Consulting Services and Clinical Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, NYU, moderated the Leadership Think Tank and Mayo drafted the resulting white paper.

For more information, please visit iglta.org/research. A high-res image of the Leadership Think Tank is available upon request.

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About IGLTA and the IGLTA Foundation: The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is the global leader in advancing LGBTQ+ travel and a proud Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. IGLTA’s mission is to provide information and resources for LGBTQ+ travelers and expand LGBTQ+ tourism globally by demonstrating its significant social and economic impact. IGLTA membership includes LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and travel media in more than 80 countries. In 2012, the philanthropic IGLTA Foundation was launched to support the mission of the association and its membership through education, research and leadership development. For more information: iglta.org  or iglta.org/foundation and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @iglta or @IGLTAFoundation on Facebook.