IGLTA Facts
IGLTA is the world's leading travel trade association committed to growing and enhancing its members' gay and lesbian tourism business through education, promotion and networking.
Founded in 1983, with 25 founding members, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) is today a 1000 plus member strong and growing organization of gay, lesbian and community friendly travel professionals.
- accommodations
- airlines
- car rental companies
- cruise lines
- local tourist offices
- regional and national tourist boards
- travel agencies
- travel media
- tour operators
- and other businesses marketing to the gay/lesbian traveler, on all five continents.
IGLTA's Headquarters are located at:
915 Middle River Drive, Suite 306
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304
United States of America
Under the direction of Tom Nibbio, the Global Sales & Marketing Office is located in Chicago, Illinois. Tom is responsible for overseeing IGLTA’s entire Global Sales Team. The Team focuses on acquiring new membership, development of annual corporate sponsorships, support of IGLTA members and communication with media, government and tourism offices. In addition, Tom oversees and presents IGLTA’s educational seminar titled “ALL WELCOME!”. The seminar is designed for corporations and destinations interested in creating a gay-friendly, diversity-based environment. Tom and the Global Team of Ambassadors also host IGLTA Regional Receptions inviting current and prospective members and local media for additional networking opportunities. The Ambassadors also represents IGLTA’s membership at various popular trade shows and consumer expos worldwide.
The boom in gay travel globally has encouraged the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association to appoint its first full-time Ambassador to Europe. Carlos Kytka is responsible for ensuring that the gay travel trade is widely recognized as a major sector of the tourism industry. He works with national tourist boards, tourism schools and government departments within Europe so that they recognize the strength of this important market. He also helps to develop the facilities and attitudes necessary to attract gay tourists to and from Europe. Carlos also oversees the European National Ambassadors.
IGLTA's 25th Anniversary Convention has a new website! Go to http://www.iglta.org/convention/ for information regarding our host hotel, the itinerary, networking events, world class breakout sessions and other fun events done “Vegas Style”. Also you will find everything you want to know about the city of Las Vegas as it is now a booming gay destination! Our registration form is up and ready on the site as well, so go ahead and get registered for our 2008 convention. Toronto, Ontario will be the wonderful host for our May 2009 World Convention.
Each year, IGLTA organizes two symposia (or familiarization trips) typically September and February, giving members an inexpensive opportunity to discover destinations appealing to the GLBT traveler. Recently, symposia have taken place in Costa Rica, Dallas, Antwerp, Chicago, Barcelona, New York City, Buenos Aires, Curacao, Lisbon and Tuscany. Machu Picchu/Cusco in Peru is our next fam trip in February of 2008, click here for more information about this trip.
Membership in IGLTA is open to all travel and travel-related businesses and professionals who wish to support the gay/lesbian travel industry throughout the world. Your participation in the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association will be a rewarding experience for you and your business. Think of IGLTA as both your business guild and your trade organization. For more information about membership, please visit our Members section of the website by using the links on the left.
Our newsletter blog is the voice of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. Our consistently updated blog contains articles highlighting members, product and destination information from around the world and new trends. To submit articles and other content, please contact Richard Brower at Richard@IGLTA.org. To visit the blog, please go to http://igltanews.blogspot.com/.
Our website is a powerful marketing tool that presents information about IGLTA and its membership, including a complimentary internet link and listing that advertises your business, location, and contact numbers. Our website also includes: website banner advertising opportunities, our global calendar of events, and a consumer portal to find your business. To advertise on our website, or for more information, please contact Richard Brower at Richard@IGLTA.org. |
