SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (24 March 2017)—San Jose-based travel consultant Julio Calvo, CEO of Gaycostarica.com, recently became the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s first ambassador for Central America, a volunteer role that assists with membership support and development throughout the region. He is also the founder and president of the Costa Rica Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (Camara De Comercio Diversa Costa Rica), an IGLTA organizational partner.
“Costa Rica and some of its neighbors have been on the rise with LGBT travelers, so it will be truly beneficial to have a main contact in the region to assist our organization,“ IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella says. “His experience in creating his country’s gay and lesbian chamber of commerce will provide IGLTA with much-needed connections for successful outreach in Central America.”
Calvo, who has been in the tourism industry for more than 15 years, is a pioneer in LGBTQ+ tourism to Costa Rica and Central America. He is currently focused on promoting Costa Rica as a friendly and safe destination for the LGBTQ+ market in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
“I’m very proud to be the IGLTA ambassador for Central America,” Calvo said. “I am passionate about sharing the beauty of Costa Rica and the region with LGBTQ+ travelers and I look forward to helping travel businesses throughout Central America improve their visibility within the IGLTA network.”
IGLTA's program of volunteer ambassadors in 23 countries/regions allows the association to better serve its member businesses in 70 countries. If you’d like to connect with Calvo, please email centralamerica@iglta.org.
About IGLTA
IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is the leading member-based global organization dedicated to LGBT tourism and a proud Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. IGLTA’s mission is to provide information and resources for LGBT travelers and expand LGBT 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 LGBT and LGBT-friendly accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and travel media in more than 70 countries. For more information: iglta.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @iglta.