Australia has been represented at the world’s largest and longest running LGBTQ+ tourism convention that was held last week in Milan, Italy. The IGLTA Global Convention is the world’s premier educational and networking event for LGBTQ+ tourism.
This year marked the 38th edition of the event which connects LGBTQ+ welcoming tourism suppliers and buyers through a hosted buyer scheduled appointment program, educational workshops and networking receptions.
GALTA, Australia’s LGBTQ+ travel association, was invited to attend the IGLTA Global Convention including participation on a global think tank session and the opportunity to showcase its members at a buyer/supplier Marketplace event.
GALTA’s Vice President, Ben Woodward from the Cairns based CaPTA group represented the association’s Australian members and was invited to participate in various discussion panels, as well as a trade marketplace event alongside Sydney WorldPride 2023.
“The Convention was a sell-out with one of the largest attendances being from European-based travel agencies and tour operators,” said Mr Woodward.
“The event provided a significant opportunity for us to profile our members to a highly relevant global travel audience with a keen interest in Australia anticipation builds around Sydney World Pride 2023.”
As the first World Pride event to be held in the southern hemisphere, Sydney WorldPride 2023 is set to attract thousands of visitors to Australia for what is being touted as a ‘mega Mardi Gras’ event from 17 February to 5 March.
GALTA is a national, not-for-profit membership organisation guided by a voluntary Board and Team of tourism and travel industry professionals since 1992. Its consumer-facing LGBTQ+ travel channels, promoted under the banner of Visit Gay Australia, can be found here:
www.visitgayaustralia.com.au | www.facebook.com | www.instagram.com | www.twitter.com
Image: Ben Woodward with participants at the IGLTA Global Convention in Milan (supplied)