Founder of Ladies Touch & Events Honored for Expanding LGBTQ+ Women’s Travel
SEVILLE, Spain (10 November 2026) — The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) has announced Vivian Perez (she/her) from Ladies Touch Events & Travel as the recipient of the 2026 Pioneer Award. This honor recognizes individuals, businesses, or organizations whose innovative spirit and actions have played a pivotal role in advancing LGBTQ+ travel.
The Pioneer Award will be presented to Perez during the 2026 IGLTA Global Convention in Seville, Spain on 19 November. As part of the annual IGLTA Honors selected by the IGLTA Board of Directors, these awards celebrate individuals, businesses, and organizations that have tirelessly worked to improve the global landscape for LGBTQ+ travelers. Click here to view a list of former Pioneer Award recipients and other Honors Awards recipients.
“When our association was founded as IGTA, representation for women across tourism looked very different than it does today, and that shift didn’t happen on its own,” said Meg Ten Eyck (she/her), IGLTA Board Chair & CEO of EveryQueer. “Our community expanded because of pioneers like Vivian. She didn’t wait for the industry to catch up, and in doing so, she’s shown every entrepreneur in our industry how much bigger LGBTQ+ travel can be.”
“Receiving the IGLTA Pioneer Award is deeply personal,” said Vivian Perez (she/her), Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, Ladies Touch Events & Travel. “As a queer Latina, I created the spaces I once searched for — where LGBTQ+ women, especially women of color, could feel seen, celebrated, and connected. This recognition honors that journey and the community we’ve built, and reminds me why making travel more inclusive matters.”
Founded by Perez in 2006, Ladies Touch Events & Travel grew out of her personal search for community as a queer Latina traveler seeking spaces where LGBTQ+ women — and women of color in particular — were seen and represented. What began as local event programming in Los Angeles expanded into travel in 2016, giving rise to a global community built on deep, lasting connections. Celebrating 20 years in events and 10 years in travel in 2026, Ladies Touch has welcomed thousands of travelers across cultural tours, Pride celebrations, couples’ getaways, domestic sports weekenders, and the annual Puerto Vallarta Lesbian Pride.
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 75 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.