What We Do

Research & Reports

The IGLTA Foundation funds research to promote understanding of LGBTQ+ travel within the global tourism industry. This research provides demographic information about LGBTQ+ travelers and economic data about the LGBTQ+ tourism market. The IGLTA Foundation also funds original research on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ travel industry.

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Emerging Destinations 

Supporting Businesses in Emerging Destinations

The IGLTA Foundation subsidizes association memberships for small LGBTQ+ welcoming tourism businesses in emerging destinations, i.e. places that lack governmental support or LGBTQ+ infrastructure. Since the program was launched 13 October, 2013 we have added members in Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad, and Jamaica.

View Emerging Destinations Program

Expanding LGBTQ+ Tourism Growth in Emerging Destinations

The IGLTA Foundation, supporting IGLTA and its global members in tourism, is expanding its support of strategic emerging destinations as LGBTQ+ leaders in tourism. The foundation will set up various task forces to develop and implement the action plan. India is a major destination for international tourism and there is potential to grow the inbound and outbound network to benefit LGBTQ+ travelers and LGBTQ+ welcoming businesses. During 2021-22 we will build programs to inspire tourism buyers to include India on their list of LGBTQ+ welcoming destinations, connect India-based tour operators with global suppliers, and support outbound-India travel advisors with LGBTQ+ supplier options worldwide.

View IGLTAF Task Force-India

As the foundation grows, we plan to expand these efforts to include Annual Global Convention registrations along with travel expenses and tables in our Unique Destinations trade show. Assisting in the professional growth of future LGBTQ+ tourism leaders worldwide helps to make travel more welcoming for us all.

Foundation Fellowships

Each year, The IGLTA Foundation provides financial support for travel and accommodations for The IGLTA Annual Global Convention for tourism/hospitality students in the convention host country and LGBTQ+ small-business owners in the tourism industry, particularly in destinations lacking LGBTQ+ tourism support and/or with anti-gay governments. participation in the annual global convention provides these students and small-business owners with education and mentorship that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

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Promoting Dialogue with Governments & Tourism Industry Leaders

Educating & Support Governments & Tourism Leaders

The IGLTA Foundation educates governments and tourism industry leaders on the importance of making LGBTQ+ travelers feel safe and welcome. The IGLTA Foundation provides resources for IGLTA to engage with other non-governmental organizations as well as governments and tourism boards to speak on the positive economic and cultural impact of LGBTQ+ tourism. The IGLTA Foundation is also an official partner of ECPAT (End Child Prostitution And Trafficking) International.

Supporting Transgender Travelers

While the LGBTQ+ community as a whole has made progress over the past few decades, the transgender community in particular still faces major challenges, particularly in the tourism industry. The IGLTA Foundation works with tourism businesses and transgender community leaders to develop a plan for making tourism more welcoming for transgender travelers. 

Learn more about IGLTAF Transgender Advisory Group