TORONTO (6 September 2017)—Toronto-based Iris Sebanescu, Manager of Trade Development at Bannikin Travel & Tourism, will serve as co-ambassador for the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association in Canada. The volunteer role assists with membership support and development throughout the region with an emphasis on promotion of IGLTA’s Annual Global Convention, set for 9-12 May 2018 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.
"The timing couldn't be better to add an additional Canadian ambassador to our global team," said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella. "As we prepare for our 35th anniversary convention in Toronto, Iris will be a great asset in engaging the local tourism community and enhancing the outreach of our longtime Canadian ambassador, Liz Devine."
In her role at Bannikin, Serbanescu uses her industry expertise to raise awareness for under- the-radar destinations, lodges and tour operators, helping clients to succeed in North American, European, and soon, Asian outbound markets through strategic product development and unique positioning campaigns. Prior to joining Bannikin in 2014, she did an internship with the Four Seasons Hotel in Prague and then kick-started her career in marketing and partnerships at a Toronto-based Virtuoso travel agency.
“For me it’s a calling; to become a driving force of the movement to help our tourism industry view LGBTQ+ as not as an afterthought or a separate entity, but as a niche that’s integrated into ‘mainstream’ travel,” said Serbanescu. “I’m eager to partner with IGLTA to grow visibility and enact positive change in Canada and globally.”
IGLTA's program of global volunteer ambassadors allows the association to better serve its member businesses in 70 countries. If you’d like to connect with Serbanescu, please email CanadaIris@iglta.org.
For more information on IGLTA’s 2018 Annual Global Convention, the leading educational and networking event for the LGBTQ+ tourism industry, please visit iglta.org/convention.
About IGLTA
IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is the leading member-based global organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ tourism 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. The association also is a proud supporter of ECPAT’s Tourism Child Protection Code of Conduct to prevent child exploitation. IGLTA membership includes LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ- friendly accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and travel media in approximately 70 countries. For more information: iglta.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @iglta.