The John Tanzella Fellowship Fund will expand leadership development initiatives
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (10 August 2026) — The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) and the IGLTA Foundation are marking World LGBTQ+ Tourism Day by honoring the legacy of longtime President and CEO John Tanzella (he/him) and inviting the global travel industry to invest in the next generation of LGBTQ+ tourism leaders through the John Tanzella Fellowship Fund.
Established in 2020 by CCGLAR and organized by Gnetwork360, World LGBTQ+ Tourism Day is about celebrating the people who make LGBTQ+ travel possible. Few people embodied that spirit more than John Tanzella, who passed away earlier this year after dedicating two decades to leading IGLTA. That’s why the IGLTA Foundation established the John Tanzella Fellowship Fund to support tourism professionals and entrepreneurs, particularly those in emerging destinations lacking LGBTQ+ infrastructure.
“John had the extraordinary ability to see potential in people before they saw it in themselves,” said Anthony Warner (he/him), Interim CEO of IGLTA. “He opened doors for countless people throughout his career, and he never let them walk through alone. The John Tanzella Fellowship Fund is our way of making sure those doors stay open for generations to come.”
To honor the trailblazers who paved the way and the leaders still to come, IGLTA invites businesses, destinations, allies, and travelers to support the John Tanzella Fellowship Fund. Join the global conversation using #LGBTQTourismDay and #WorldLGBTQTourismDay.
The official World LGBTQ+ Tourism Day digital toolkit and graphics are available here.
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 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.