WTM Africa and IGLTA deliver first-ever Equal Africa content programme to ATW
Cape Town (29 March 2021)—WTM Africa 2021 will see the introduction of an LGBTQ+ travel event called EQUAL Africa in partnership with IGLTA. EQUAL Africa stands for EQUAL Love, Rights, Experiences & Opportunities and will comprise three fascinating virtual panel discussions and presentations from 7 to 9 April 2021.
Held as part of Africa Travel Week, headlined by WTM Africa and ILTM Africa, EQUAL Africa’s three content sessions will bring together industry experts and thought leaders from across the globe sharing great lessons on how to cater for the LGBTQ+ market.
From pandemic recovery strategies, new LGBTQ+ offerings and how the travel and tourism community can benefit through supporting LGBTQ+ travellers and the local LGBTQ+ community, to an LGBTQ+ Travel Data forecast and actual case studies, tourism stakeholders will learn how to avoid the mistakes of brands who have ‘superficially’ tried to break into the LGBTQ+ market.
Book your front-row seat by checking out the bumper content programme here and click on the “Add to my Plan” to diarise your favourites. Along with the three EQUAL Africa sessions, are over 40 incredible panel discussions and presentations bringing together speakers who will address topics that seek to Unlock Africa.
“For our EQUAL Africa in partnership with IGLTA programme, we are thrilled to have speakers of the calibre of Tyronne Stoudemire, Hyatt Hotels Corporation Global VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Sherwin Banda, President of African Travel, Inc., and Tom Roth and David Paisley of Community Marketing & Insights joining us to unpack strategies, trends and practical insights on the LGBTQ+ travel community,” says Martin Hiller, Reed Exhibitions South Africa Creative & Content Director: Travel, Tourism & Creative Industries.
“Our partnership with IGLTA is another way that WTM Africa continues to track the latest international travel & tourism industry trends. Pink travel is on the rise globally, and facilitating safe, comfortable travel for LGBTQ+ travellers to Africa’s wonderful destinations is the focus of EQUAL Africa in partnership with IGLTA,” says Hiller.
"We truly appreciate the partnership with Africa Travel Week and the opportunity to curate LGBTQ+ travel content under the EQUAL Africa banner," says IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella. "It's given us the opportunity to create year-round visibility and resources to support LGBTQ+ travel and champion the need for diversity, equity and inclusion in the African tourism industry and around the world. ATW Virtual unites an incredible group of IGLTA members to share DEI strategies and LGBTQ+ marketing best practices to help our industry rebuild in a more open and inclusive way."
IGLTA works to advance LGBTQ+ travel globally by providing information and resources for LGBTQ+ travellers and demonstrating the significant social and economic impact of LGBTQ+ tourism. IGLTA’s membership includes LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, travel advisors, tour operators, events and travel media in 80 countries.
ATW Virtual provides a connection for global travel professionals to collaborate and shape the recovery of the African travel industry, through one-on-one meetings between exhibitors and buyers, taking place over three days in order to accommodate different time zones. Attendees will also benefit from additional value-adds such as directory listings, speed networking sessions and roundtable discussions.
“Our goal really is to provide a pivotal platform for the continent’s travel and tourism industry, inspiring, educating and rebuilding the travel and tourism industry over the course of the three days and beyond, whether you’re connecting with new buyers and exhibitors virtually, or attending the exciting panel discussions and presentations run by industry experts.
“While ATW puts a firm spotlight on Africa’s tourism sector, EQUAL Africa in partnership with IGLTA is a celebration of the significance and power of the dreams of the LGBTQ+ traveller. We can be the catalysts for shaping the future of LGBTQ+ travel in Africa and the rest of the world,” concludes Hiller.
To find out more about EQUAL Africa in partnership with IGLTA, visit http://africa.wtm.com/. #WTMA21 takes place virtually from 7-9 April 2021.
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About IGLTA
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. The association also is a proud supporter of ECPAT’s Tourism Child Protection Code of Conduct to prevent child exploitation. IGLTA membership includes LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, travel advisors, tour operators, events and travel media across 80 countries. In 2012, the philanthropic IGLTA Foundation was created to empower LGBTQ+ welcoming businesses through leadership, research and education. For more information: www.iglta.org, www.igltaconvention.org or www.iglta.org/foundation and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @iglta or @IGLTABusiness and @IGLTAFoundation on Facebook.
Media Contact: LoAnn Halden, VP-Communications, loann.halden@iglta.org
About World Travel Market
World Travel Market (WTM) Portfolio comprises leading travel events, online portals and virtual platforms across four continents, generating more than $7.5 billion of industry deals, including WTM Africa.
WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. More than 6,000 travel industry professionals attend Africa’s leading inbound and outbound travel and tourism market. WTM Africa delivers a proven mix of hosted buyers, media, pre-scheduled appointments, on-site networking, evening functions and invited travel trade visitors.
Next Event: Wednesday 7 to Friday 9 April 2021 – Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town http://africa.wtm.com/
Issued by: Big Ambitions Contact: Claire Lathe Tel: +27 84 245 2189
Email: claire@bigambitions.co.za