PALM SPRINGS, CA (25 March 2026) – The IGLTA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), released its latest report titled “Redefining LGBTQ+ Travel: Engaging ‘Innovation Agents’ to Effect Change.” The report captures the collective insights and actionable strategies shared from the IGLTA Foundation’s Leadership Think Tank held during the 2025 IGLTA Global Convention in Palm Springs.
The report addresses the increasingly volatile climate facing the global LGBTQ+ travel community. It challenges leaders to move beyond being “champions” and become innovation agents who use practical problem-solving and bold thinking to build inclusion into the financial, operational, and accountability structures of their businesses.
“Industry leadership means ensuring that travel is open to everyone — and that requires more than good intentions. The insights from this Think Tank challenge all of us to move beyond being cheerleaders and step into the role of innovation agents, building systems that welcome LGBTQ+ travelers by design,” said Meg Ten Eyck (she/her), CEO of EveryQueer & IGLTA Board Chair.
“Innovation Agent is a powerful term introduced at the Think Tank. It helped re-frame the role of corporate and organizational leaders in a way that prioritizes innovation, partnership, accountability and metrics,” said Danny Guerrero (he/him), CEO & Founder of The Culturist Group and Think Tank co-moderator. “This year's Think Tank delivered a framework that is necessary to continue to advocate for and grow a prosperous LGBTQ+ global travel market. I am so proud of the thinking that emerged from our time together in Palm Springs.”
“This year’s Think Tank reminded me that real progress in LGBTQ+ travel isn’t about symbolic gestures; it’s about systemic change. Our conversations in Palm Springs highlighted that while some regions are advancing protections and visibility for LGBTQ+ travelers, others are introducing new barriers that make safe and inclusive travel more of a challenge,” said Sandee Jordan (she/her), Manager at Simpleview. “Events like the Think Tank are essential because they bring together the brightest minds in tourism to share strategies, challenge assumptions, and build a stronger, more united community committed to meaningful change.”
Report takeaways:
- Move beyond performative activities and outside of the comfort zone to find strategies that are measurable for collective success.
- Education is the most effective tool for strengthening the LGBTQ+ travel sector in an era where human rights are politicized and inclusion is treated as a threat.
- Embrace authentic storytelling to reach the LGBTQ+ travel market — while recognizing there is no “one-size-fits-all” for this diverse and intersectional community.
- Redefine the scope of inclusion. Name changes away from “DEI” can actually be a liberating opportunity for growth, allowing organizations to define a clearer, more precise scope and spirit for this important work.
- Consistent follow-up and verification are crucial when certifying the LGBTQ+ travel friendliness and safety of a business.
The full report is available for download here.
This Leadership Think Tank was presented by Simpleview and hosted by Visit Greater Palm Springs at the Agua Caliente Cultural Center.
The discussion was co-moderated by Danny Guerrero, CEO & Founder of The Culturist Group and Vice Chair of the IGLTA Board, and Chiriga "Zoe" Moore (she/her), Strategic EDI Consultant at Moore Consulting Agency.
The IGLTA Foundation would like to thank our participants for their thoughtful contributions:
Trisha Chakraborty (she/her), Chase Travel; Gabrielle Claiborne (she/her), Transformation Journeys Worldwide and IGLTA Foundation GTAG Chair; Santiago García-Dils (he/him), Sevilla Tourism Board; Jake Graf (he/him), Trans Family Travel and IGLTA Foundation GTAG Member; Patrick Gunn (he/him), Vacaya; Sandee Jordan (she/her), Simpleview; Thomas Nichols (he/him), Arcus Foundation; Colleen Pace (she/her), Visit Greater Palm Springs; Cheryl Richards (she/her), Visit Dallas and former IGLTA Board Member; Millicent Rone (she/her), American Airlines; David Ryan (he/him), Rhino Africa Safaris; Melissa Sandgren (she/her), Airbnb; and Brian Wright (he/him), Visit California. This also included our 2025 IGLTA Foundation Global Convention Fellowship Recipients: Laticia Jacobs (she/her), Travel Concierge Partners; Denise Lang (she/her), Reach for the Magic Destinations; Lizzy Monroe (she/her), Rainbow Routes; Jess Osborn (he/they), GenderChill Fashion Show and IGLTA Foundation GTAG Member; Sulique Venus Waqa (she/her), South Pacific LGBTQ+ Travel.
The IGLTA Foundation's Leadership Think Tank is a pioneering initiative that brings together influential executives from LGBTQ+ welcoming companies and destinations worldwide to discuss the most pressing issues facing LGBTQ+ tourism and the communities it impacts. Click here for more information on the IGLTA Foundation’s Leadership Think Tank.
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 more than 85 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.