The Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow Path: IGLTA & PATA Partnership
Tourism is meant for everyone to freely explore the world, but this has only begun to shift from idealism to reality about 50 years ago when LGBTQ+ issues started to be addressed by the tourism industry. Established in 1983, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) is one of the largest networks of LGBTQ+ welcoming tourism businesses that provide free travel resources and information while advocating for the community’s safety and equality.
In celebration of pride month, PATA is highlighting IGLTA’s effort in helping the LGBTQ+ community eliminate barriers in travelling, as well as their longstanding collaboration with PATA to bring changes into the Asia Pacific region.
IGLTA’s mission is to provide information and resources for LGBTQ+ travellers, as well as to expand LGBTQ+ tourism globally. The association connects travellers with worldwide LGBTQ+ friendly businesses, creating a comfort zone for the community wherever they travel. With the mission in mind, IGLTA and PATA started started collaborating in the 2010s and have partnered on the IGLTA Foundation Building Bridges Fellowship since 2017. Two publications were released on the topic of LGBTQ+ tourism: one in 2016 on LGBTQ+ travel and another in 2020 - “Connecting with the Resilient LGBTQ+ Travel Market.” PATA and IGLTA also recently co-organised a webinar on LQBTQ+ tourism called Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers.
PATA representatives at IGLTA’s 34th Annual Global Convention in St. Pete, Florida.
L/R: Andrew Jones, former Chairman, PATA; Daniela Wagner, Regional Director - EMEA, PATA; Junqi "Vincent" Weng, past fellowship recipient from China; Jean-François, Commissioner of Corporate Social Responsibility; JC Wong, former YTP Ambassador, PATA
Photo courtesy of Rachel Stevenson/OUTCOAST Photography
The fellowship programme was created to support the next generation of LGBTQ+ travel professionals. It provides funding and mentorship to LGBTQ+ small business leaders, young professionals and students selected to attend the IGLTA Annual Global Convention. The partnership between PATA and IGLTA is intended to give exposure to such events and create more engagement in Asia Pacific, especially because LGBTQ+ topics are not given visibility in many parts of the region. Alongside PATA’s large Youth community, there have been many opportunities to inspire the next generation towards inclusively and positively impacting the tourism industry.
Through the fellowship, recipients have been empowered to address LGBTQ+ issue in their own destinations with more confidence and understanding from both the business’ and travellers’ perspectives. Being able to make connections at the convention with likeminded tourism professionals has also provided recipients with more support as they work towards changes in the global industry.
Kim Parina Thakuri from Nepal, 2019 PATA Building Bridges Fellowship Recipient, in NYC.
Thanakarn "Bella" Vongvisitsin from Thailand, 2018 PATA Building Bridges Fellowship Recipient, in Toronto.
Photos courtesy of Rachel Covello/OUTCOAST Photography
In addition to encouraging youth to better the LGBTQ+ tourism environment, IGLTA has also been able to make significant breakthroughs in Asia Pacific at the destination levels. The association has been working for years with highly engaged small businesses in Japan, such as through holding business seminars that advocate the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in the tourism industry. These efforts have unquestionably paid off: IGLTA’s members used to consist only individual businesses, but have since included tourism bureaus like the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau. They have even joined their Featured Destination program and launched Japan's first DMO-led Pride Month campaign!
Everyone wants to see themselves represented and feel like they are genuinely welcomed when they travel. But it's also a matter of safety for LGBTQ+ travellers. The more awareness and understanding we create, the more likely it becomes. With time, our LGBTQ+ family will be able to move through the world without fear. That's why we've been at it since 1983 and just keep growing and expanding our outreach.
- LoAnn Halden, VP-Communications, IGLTA
The work to make the tourism industry an entirely welcoming place is not done yet. But IGLTA, alongside PATA and all the powerful Youth community, are putting in efforts to accelerate the process and find the pot of gold at the end of this journey - and LGBTQ+ friendly businesses will no longer need to be specified.
The IGLTA Foundation supports global LGBTQ+ tourism through education, research and leadership development.
The IGLTA Foundation Building Bridges Fellowship Program provides funding and mentorship to selected LGBTQ+ small business leaders, young professionals and students to attend the IGLTA Annual Global Convention and to groom future industry leaders to develop professionally in promoting LGBTQ+ Tourism.
This program was created to support the next generation of LGBTQ+ travel professionals and allies in providing funding to attend the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association’s Annual Global Convention, including all convention registration fees and travel expenses. Recipients will have the opportunity to network with travel industry leaders from around the world and attend all educational sessions. The goal in providing these critical fellowships to deserving individuals is to educate future leaders in tourism and provide opportunities for growth and inclusion to LGBTQ+ students in hospitality, travel professionals and allies. The Foundation will award fellowships to LGBTQ+ small travel business owners (global) and tourism/hospitality students. A post-conference follow-up program will be enacted to measure the success of the program.
An additional Building Bridges Fellowship is presented in collaboration with PATA and is open to members of PATA's young professionals network. Deadline to apply has been extended to 28 June, 2021, don’t miss this chance again! Apply now >
