Emerging Destination Program For LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses

This membership incentive program is designed to assist small LGBTQ+-owned/ operated tourism businesses in emerging markets where the infrastructure for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender tourism is not yet established.

Due to the lack of visibility for transgender-run businesses, this program is open to transgender-owned/operated businesses anywhere in the world.

The Foundation will offset the annual IGLTA membership fee significantly for these businesses. With your support, we have the potential to increase visibility for LGBTQ+ tourism and make the world more welcoming for queer travelers. Members under this program will receive the same benefits as regular IGLTA members. We've found that emerging members not only have the most to gain from membership but also become great contributors both to the organization as well as pioneering new markets.

Selection of eligible countries for the program

70+ countries currently have laws that allow for the punishment of same-sex activity between consenting adults. The vast majority of these countries are located in Africa and the Middle East. Even worse, 10+ countries allow for those -“crimes” to be punished with the death penalty.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) publishes a series of maps annually that show only 65% of those people living in UN countries around the world can now legally be in consensual same-sex relationships. Those same maps also show where homosexuality is criminalized. 

In addition to the list provided by ILGA, we have added few countries where being LGBTQ+ is not prohibited but have a developping tourism infrastructure. 

Who Is Eligible?