Seville, SPAIN (6 March 2024) — The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association announced today at ITB Berlin that it has selected Seville, Spain as the host destination for its 2026 Global Convention. IGLTA is honored to partner with the Sevilla City Office with support from Tourism of Andalucía and Turespaña to bring its premier educational and networking event to Seville. The convention will be hosted in November at Seville’s state-of-the art conference and exhibition center, FIBES, which is home to the annual Tourism Innovation Summit and welcomed the World Travel & Tourism Council Summit in 2019.
The IGLTA Global Convention unites travel professionals, industry leaders, and LGBTQ+ thought leaders from around the world. Attendees can expect engaging educational sessions, meaningful networking opportunities, and inspiring keynote presentations.
“Seville's vibrant culture, rich history, and commitment to inclusivity make it an ideal location for our 2026 Global Convention,” said Dougal Mckenzie (he/him), IGLTA Board Chair. “The city’s tourism office has actively engaged with IGLTA for nearly 20 years, underscoring its dedication to LGBTQ+ welcoming travel. We look forward to convening in this beautiful city and fostering meaningful connections within the LGBTQ+ travel industry.”
Present for the announcement at ITB were: Angie Moreno (she/her), Delegate of Tourism of Seville City Council / Sevilla City Office; Francisco Montes (he/him), Director General of Junta de Andalucía / Turismo Andaluz; and Miguel Sanz (he/him), Director General of Turespaña / Tourspain.
The Tourism Councillor for the Seville City Council, Angie Moreno (she/her) has highlighted that "Seville is a city with a great capacity to host events of this magnitude. We are a LGBTQ+ friendly city, which already attracts LGBTQ+ tourists from all parts of the world and has an extensive calendar of LGBTQ+ activities."
“Andalucía can be considered one of the first international LGTBTI tourism destinations. Since the beginning of the LGBTI movement, Torremolinos has been one of its main landmarks, and this has expanded now to the entire region, notably the destination of Seville,” said Director General of Tourism of Andalucía, Francisco Montes (he/him). “The organization of an event such as IGLTA Global Convention Sevilla 2026 will serve as an opportunity for Andalucía to show all its potential to all the professionals of the sector participating in this meeting.”
“The organization of the IGLTA Convention in Seville in 2026 is a sign that Spain is a leading destination in the world for the LGBTQ+ segment. We are an open country to everyone,” said Miguel Sanz (he/him), Director General of Turespaña. “Those who visit us will be able to find numerous experiences personalized to the wishes of each person. And in order to be able to offer these products, services and personalized experiences we must count on professionals in the sector, with the organizations that are part of IGLTA being great allies for this. From Turespaña, and through our network of Tourism Departments abroad, we will work to communicate it to the world.”
Since legalizing same-sex marriage in 2005, Spain has become a beacon of inclusivity for the global LGBTQ+ community. The Seville City Council has actively championed policies promoting equality and combatting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Notably, in 2016, they established the LGTBI Municipal Council, a vital platform for LGTBI+ voices and fostering social recognition. Seville has an ever-evolving calendar of LGBTQ+ events, offering a year-round celebration of diversity. From the storytelling of the Andalesgai film festival and the artistic expression of the FOC (Culture with Pride Festival) to the Togayther Drag Queen Gala, the city thrives with queer life. The Diversity Month program, co-organized by the Seville City Council, offers a month of immersive experiences, while the Andalucía Pride, co-organized with Plataforma Orgullo Andalucía, showcases vibrant displays of unity and equality. LGBTQ+ pride is truly in this city’s DNA.
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 (formerly known as 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/foundation and follow us on Facebook at @IGLTA, @IGLTABusiness and @IGLTAFoundation, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn at @IGLTA and @IGLTAFoundation, and Instagram @IGLTA.
About Sevilla City Office
Sevilla City Office is the public entity of the Seville City Council that is responsible for the marketing and promotion of the destination as well as the management and governance of tourism in the city. In turn, its area of action is aligned with the Local Tourism Council, which opens the strategy to greater citizen participation for the benefit of all.