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 in 2019 has estimated that LGBTQ+ domestic and international travelers spent US$103 billion in the United States alone.

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 a 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 Global Convention is the world’s premier educational and networking event for LGBTQ+ tourism professionals. The 38th 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 8-11 September at the Hotel Midtown in Atlanta. The event hosted 400 delegates representing 27 countries and territories despite the United States borders still being closed to much of the world. For many, the convention was the first in-person event after nearly 2 years due to cancelations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides following local safety protocols and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for large gatherings, IGLTA took the safety measures even further. All attendees were required to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test and masks were worn at all IGLTA events. Temperature checks were regularly taken and we even provided both onsite COVID testing as well as a vaccination center for those travelers from abroad who hadn't yet received the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Join us in Milan, Italy to take your business to the next level!