Advancing LGBTQ+ Travel

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The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is the global leader in advancing LGBTQ+ travel 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. IGLTA membership includes LGBTQ+ and 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. 

The LGBTQ+ community is a highly sought after segement for tourism businesses and numerous studies have shown that LGBTQ+ people travel more often, spend more and are more resilient than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. One study in 2019 by lgbt-capital estimated the spending power to be US$3.9 trillion globally. While this estimate represents more than just travel spend, another study by Community Marketing Inc has estimated that in the United States alone, LGBTQ+ travelers generate an economic impact of US$100 billion.

With support from the IGLTA Foundation, we recently released the first findings from the 2021 LGBTQ+ Post COVID-19 Travel Survey. Responses came from approximately 6,300 LGBTQ+ travelers around the world, with the largest representation from the United States, Brazil, Mexico, India and the EU. One year into the pandemic, the desire to return to travel is stronger than ever and nearly three-fourths (73%) of global respondents said they plan to take their next major vacation before the end of 2021. In fact, nearly one quarter (23%) of the respondents had already made travel reservations in the past week, at the time of taking the survey. The global survey results are available to download from the IGLTA website, as well as breakout reports on the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and the EU. 

Each year IGLTA hosts an Annual Global Convention attracting hundreds of tourism professionals. Our convention is not only the largest of its kind, but it is also the longest-running. The IGLTA Annual Global Convention is the world’s premier educational and networking event for LGBTQ+ tourism professionals. The 37th edition of the conference will connect LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ+ welcoming travel and tourism suppliers and buyers through its hosted buyer and scheduled appointment program, numerous educational workshops and networking receptions. For more information about our Annual Convention, visit our dedicated convention site.

Our last convention was held from 24-27 April 2019 at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. The event hosted 700 delegates representing 49 countries and territories, making this our largest and most diverse convention to date. The economic impact generated by the convention is estimated at US$2.1 million. 

 

“i look forward to attending more in the future of the iglta’s meetings and seeing our mutual business grow with the various vendors, sponsors, and other agents.” - Mark Steward, owner & manager, Jet Set Tourism

“This was my first IGLTA convention and certainly not my last. I met so many great people and learned a lot, too.” - Gary Sanchez, Director of Public Affairs, VisitDallas

“IGLTA and the marketplace continue to be so powerful for my business. The relationships I’ve made have been essential to helping me curate experiences for my clients whether they be gay or not.” - Vincent Jones, CEO & Chief Experience Curator, Citizen Jones Travel

“The conference as a whole is run so well! It's so educational and such a great networking event. The IGLTA team really rocks, and I'm already partnering with some new companies I've met at the conference.” - Brian Mackey, Tour & Cruise Consultant, Cruise Planners

Join us in Atlanta, Georgia, USA to take your business to the next level!