IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Adds Ambassador in Austria

VIENNA, Austria (10 October 2017)—Vienna-based Christian Beckmann steps in this month as the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s ambassador for Austria, a volunteer role that assists with membership support and development throughout the country. Beckmann, a Corporate Sales Partner at ARCOTEL Hotels & Resorts, has had great success in attracting LGBTQ+ events to Vienna, such as the European Lesbian Conference 2017 and the LIGA party.

“IGLTA has had limited outreach in Austria so we are pleased that Christian has stepped forward to help us to better engage with their LGBTQ+ tourism industry,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella. “He’s very committed to increasing visibility for Austria’s beautiful destinations among LGBTQ+ travelers.”

Beckmann started his career in hospitality at age 17 at the Hilton Düsseldorf, Germany, where he obtained an overview of all departments during a three-year traineeship. As a result, he decided to focus on event management as his main profession, and in 2009 relocated to the beautiful city of Vienna. Beckmann worked for Hilton and Starwood before joining the sales team at ARCOTEL Hotels & Resorts in December 2016.

“When I was sent to the IGLTA Annual Global Convention in Madrid in 2014 I saw how much potential there is in LGBTQ+ travel business, but at the time I wasn’t able to focus on that market,” Beckmann said. “This year, after my first visit to ITB Berlin and a successful meeting with IGLTA, I decided that we have to focus on LGBTQ+ tourism in Vienna, with our great events like the Rainbow Vienna Parade in June or the world-renowned Life Ball.”

IGLTA's program of global volunteer ambassadors allows the association to better serve its member businesses in more than 75 countries. If you’d like to connect with Beckmann, please email austria@iglta.org.

About IGLTA

IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is the leading member-based global organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ tourism 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. The association also is a proud supporter of ECPAT’s Tourism Child Protection Code of Conduct to prevent child exploitation. IGLTA membership includes LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ- friendly accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and travel media in approximately 70 countries. For more information: iglta.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @iglta.