With 750+ attendees from 33 countries in attendance, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) is celebrating the success of a record-breaking global annual convention in sunny Palm Springs, CA. The event welcomed IGLTA members from around the world, many of whom are travel advisors, in addition to DMOs, tour operators and travel media targeting LGBTQ+ and B2B audiences.
In his opening remarks, John Tanzella, CEO and president of IGLTA thanked attendees for coming together as a unified front in uncertain times, sharing that, while spend by LGBTQ+ folks is projected to hit an eye-popping $587 billion by 2030, he believed that, when it came down to it, attendees were there to show their support for the larger community. “I think the reason we’re all here this week as thought leaders is because we care and we’re interested in doing business with like-minded people,” he said. “I really want to send a strong message of unity and support for all members.”
Tanzella went on to share that IGLTA prioritizes being present in the travel industry, attending 50+ events and conferences throughout the year in destinations across the globe. Similarly, he shared that the IGLTA team is decentralized intentionally as its international presence allows the organization to reach and connect with more people.
Further underscoring Tanzella’s message of unity was Ron deHarte, mayor of the city of Palm Springs. “Travel is fundamentally one of the most powerful forces for dismantling prejudice, simply by introducing the world to itself,” said deHarte. “When we intentionally create spaces where every traveler feels safe, valid and celebrated, we just don’t book flights, fill seats or book hotel rooms, we advance the cause of humanity. This is our shared responsibility. Palm Springs has proven when you give rights visibility and inclusion to one group, it doesn’t result in a proportional loss for another group. … Creating a truly inclusive and safe environment is good for everyone, it attracts a wider customer base, encourages innovation, improves the destination’s reputation and ultimately, makes businesses and communities stronger and richer for its visitors and residents … When we stand up for equality, inclusion for one of us, we all win.”
Resources for Travel Advisors To Know
The IGLTA Foundation (IGLTAF) publishes a variety of reports and research papers to keep people up to date with LGBTQ+ tourism and other critical issues impacting the global travel and tourism sector. One of the Foundation’s latest releases is the Trans and Gender Diverse Travel Guide, a 27-page directory outlining practical tips to help trans and gender diverse travelers navigate travel with greater confidence, safety and ease, according to IGLTAF. Gabrielle Claiborne, one of the minds behind the new resource, told convention attendees that the guide is a “roadmap for safe and equitable adventures,” going on to say that the IGLTA Foundation’s Gender Diverse Travel Advisory Group saw an urgent need to create a safety guide for members of these communities in 2025.
Another resource from the IGLTA Foundation that might be of interest to travel advisors is the Comprehensive Guide for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Communication in the Tourism Industry, an essential toolkit created by IGLTAF in partnership with Miles Partnership to help travel pros make every client feel truly welcome with actionable strategies for integrating inclusive language into their official communications and day-to-day-life.
To browse all available reports and research papers from IGLTAF, visit the IGLTA Foundation Research Publications page on the IGLTA website.
Insightful Panels, Inspirational Sessions and Next-Level Networking
As always, the convention was jam-packed with valuable content for attendees with standout discussions including panels on topics like leading through uncertainty and LGBTQ+ luxury travel in addition to breakout sessions covering trans and gender diverse experiences, insights into how LGBTQ+ travels aged 50+ like to see the world, what’s next for LGBTQ+ tourism, what Stonewall means today and more.
The convention’s keynote was titled “What Matters Most: The Message LGBTQ+ Travelers Need to Hear Now,” and speaker David Allison worked to inspire tourism leaders — DMOs, hoteliers, tour operators and travel advisors — to amplify their impact using data points identifying the shared values of LGBTQ+ travelers in the U.S. to really drive the message home. According to Allison, when businesses across the tourism ecosystem use these values to send a loud, clear, unified message, LGBTQ+ travelers will feel seen, heard, safe and welcome.
An event that’s all about community, there were networking opportunities abound at a colorful, food truck-laden opening reception in addition to a media networking event and by-appointment LGBTQ+ Tourism Expo that took place over two days. Following the closing ceremony at the end of the week, attendees were invited to head to Arenas, Palm Springs’ vibrant nightlife and shopping district, to join in on a flag raising block party as Palm Springs officials hoisted the original Gilbert Baker Pride flag as a symbol of unity, freedom and equality.
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