IGLTA Foundation is a Scholarship Sponsor for February 2024 Cohort
Applications Now Open
BARCELONA (21 November 2023)—The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Foundation is proud to announce its partnership with wmnsWORK, a global accelerator program designed to support women and nonbinary tourism entrepreneurs in the early stages of entrepreneurship. As an official scholarship sponsor, the IGLTA Foundation will provide one scholarship for a nonbinary or LGBTQ+ woman entrepreneur in the upcoming February 2024 cohort.
wmnsWORK is a 12-week virtual, global, equity-free accelerator program designed specifically for women and nonbinary tourism entrepreneurs who are in the first 3 years of building their tourism business. The program provides a supportive, expert-led space to embrace idea-sharing, community and self-compassion in their businesses and recently won a Bessie Award for its contribution to empowering women+ in the industry.
“Education is a cornerstone of the IGLTA Foundation. wmnsWORK’s program aligns perfectly with the Foundation's aim to foster inclusivity and empower underrepresented voices within the travel industry,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella (he/him). "We are excited to take part in this initiative to create more opportunities for LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals to thrive in the tourism sector.”
"We are proud to partner with the IGLTA Foundation to expand much-needed support and spaces for women and nonbinary individuals in the tourism industry to grow their businesses," said Iris Serbanescu (she/her), Founder of wmnsWORK. “Together, we can equip LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed and contribute to a more equitable future for the sector.”
Women make up 55% of the tourism industry, but most of those are in administration support roles and front-of-house workers. Only a small fraction are in leadership roles. wmnsWORK aims to bridge this gap by supporting women and nonbinary individuals in starting their own ventures and achieving economic ownership within the industry.
About IGLTA & 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's global network includes 13,000+ LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events, and travel media in 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/foundationand follow us on Facebook at @IGLTA, @IGLTABusiness and @IGLTAFoundation, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn at @IGLTA and @IGLTAFoundation, and Instagram @IGLTA.
About wmnsWORK
wmnsWORK was founded in 2022 and is the tourism industry's first virtual, global business accelerator focused on women and nonbinary entrepreneurs. Through weekly expert-led workshops on key topics, 1-on-1 & group mentorship, and peer support, the 12-week program works to flatten the learning curve when it comes to knowledge of the industry and entrepreneurship. The program is focused on tourism suppliers (hotels, tour operators) but is open to other tourism business owners who see value in its curriculum. For more information, visit wmnsWORK.com