First cohort supported 26 entrepreneurs from more than 20 countries, with participants gaining access to mentoring, training and international tourism networks

Program shortlisted for the Global LGBTQIA+ Initiative of the Year at the 2026 Rainbow Honours

BERLIN, Germany 24 June 2026 — The IGLTA Foundation and the TUI Care Foundation have launched the second cohort of the TUI Futureshapers Global: LGBTQIA+ Travel Innovators program, continuing their joint commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs in tourism from emerging destinations worldwide.

 

The launch of the second cohort follows the successful completion of the program’s first edition, which supported 26 entrepreneurs from more than 20 countries across five continents. Participants represented a broad range of tourism businesses, including tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, retreat centres and event organizers. All participants were matched with expert mentors from across the TUI and IGLTA ecosystems and joined the global IGLTA network of more than 14,500 LGBTQ+ welcoming tourism businesses.

 

“Working with the TUI Care Foundation shows exactly what happens when we collaborate to bridge gaps in the industry. By sharing our global networks and pairing these entrepreneurs with dedicated mentors, we are expanding access to the visibility and resources they have been excluded from for too long,” said TJ Chernick (he/him), Partnership Engagement Director of the IGLTA Foundation. “It’s really been inspiring to see participants from the first cohort step into their full potential and start building the future they envision for their communities. Knowing this is just the beginning gives me a sense of hope for a better industry for us all.”

 

Findings from the first cohort’s impact report show real promise in terms of strengthening LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship in tourism. Download the Cohort 1 Impact Report here. 

 

The report includes case studies from entrepreneurs who have used tourism to create safer, more representative and community-led travel experiences:

  • In Brazil, Baltazar de Almeida (he/him) strengthened his Afro-queer tourism initiative TTour, helping preserve LGBTQ+ cultural heritage and increase visibility for Black and LGBTQ+ histories in tourism. 
  • In Kenya, Njeri Gachuhi (she/her) expanded inclusive travel experiences for queer women across East Africa through partnerships with local tourism suppliers. 
  • In Curaçao, Janice Tjon Sien Kie (she/her) further developed Outcaribbean, a travel media platform connecting LGBTQ+ travelers with welcoming businesses and authentic Caribbean experiences.

 

“Growing up in a favela in Angra dos Reis, tourism never felt like something that belonged to people like me. Through this program, I was able to strengthen our vision for queer Afro-tourism in Brazil, connect with global partners and show that LGBTQ+ cultural heritage deserves visibility and recognition within tourism,” said Baltazar de Almeida, founder of TTour in Brazil and participant of the first cohort.

 

Janice Tjon Sien Kie, founder of Outcaribbean in Curaçao and a Cohort 1 participant added, “Being part of the program helped me realize that our identities and stories are not limitations, but strengths. The mentoring, networking and international exposure gave me the confidence to further develop Outcaribbean and create more visible and welcoming travel experiences across the Caribbean.”

 

The second cohort will once again bring together over 20 tourism entrepreneurs from across emerging destinations worldwide. The program will culminate at the 2026 IGLTA Global Convention in Seville, Spain this November, where selected participants from both cohorts will present their businesses during a live pitching competition attended by tourism leaders and investors. 

 

The TUI Futureshapers Global: LGBTQIA+ Travel Innovators program combines business training, one-to-one mentoring and access to global tourism networks to help LGBTQ+ tourism businesses strengthen their operations, expand their visibility and create more inclusive travel experiences. Through workshops, networking opportunities and expert-led training sessions, participants gain practical skills in areas such as business development, leadership, branding, finance and strategic partnerships. Earlier this year, the program was shortlisted for the Global LGBTQIA+ Initiative of the Year by the Rainbow Honours, recognizing its contribution to advancing inclusion and opportunity in tourism worldwide.

 

About IGLTA & the IGLTA Foundation

The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is the global leader in advancing LGBTQ+ travel and a proud Affiliate Member of UN Tourism. IGLTA’s mission is to enable authentic travel that enriches lives and connects the LGBTQ+ community and tourism industry. IGLTA's global network includes 14,500+ LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events, and travel media in over 80 countries. The philanthropic IGLTA Foundation empowers LGBTQ+ welcoming travel businesses globally through leadership, research, and education. For more information: iglta.org, igltaconvention.org or iglta.org/foundation and follow social media at @IGLTA and @IGLTAFoundation.  

 

About the TUI Care Foundation 

Building on the potential of tourism as a force for good, the TUI Care Foundation supports and initiates projects which create new opportunities and contribute to thriving communities in tourism destinations all over the world. Connecting holidaymakers to good causes, it supports education and training opportunities for young people; drives the protection of natural habitats and the marine environment; and helps local communities to thrive sustainably and benefit from tourism. The TUI Care Foundation builds on strong partnerships with local and international organizations to create meaningful and long-lasting impact. The independent charitable organization was founded by TUI, one of the world's leading tourism businesses, and is based in the Netherlands. Website: www.tuicarefoundation.com