IGLTA-WTM Africa partnership puts LGBTQ+ tourism firmly on the agenda at Africa Travel Week 2021
WTM Africa and IGLTA deliver first-ever Equal Africa content programme to ATW Cape Town, 29 March 2021 – WTM Africa 2021 will see the introduction of an LGBTQ+ travel event called EQUAL Africa in partnership with IGLTA. EQUAL Africa stands for EQUAL Love, Rights, Experiences & Opportunities and will comprise three fascinating virtual panel discussions and presentations from 7 to 9 April 2021.
Held as part of Africa Travel Week, headlined by WTM Africa and ILTM Africa, EQUAL Africa’s three content sessions will bring together industry experts and thought leaders from across the globe sharing great lessons on how to cater for the LGBTQ+ market.
From pandemic recovery strategies, new LGBTQ+ offerings and how the travel and tourism community can benefit through supporting LGBTQ+ travellers and the local LGBTQ+ community, to an LGBTQ+ Travel Data forecast and actual case studies, tourism stakeholders will learn how to avoid the mistakes of brands who have ‘superficially’ tried to break into the LGBTQ+ market.
Along with the three EQUAL Africa sessions, are over 40 incredible panel discussions and presentations bringing together speakers who will address topics that seek to Unlock Africa.
“For our EQUAL Africa in partnership with IGLTA programme, we are thrilled to have speakers of the calibre of Tyronne Stoudemire, Hyatt Hotels Corporation Global VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Sherwin Banda, President of African Travel, Inc., and Tom Roth and David Paisley of Community Marketing & Insights joining us to unpack strategies, trends and practical insights on the LGBTQ+ travel community,” says Martin Hiller, Reed Exhibitions South Africa Creative & Content Director: Travel, Tourism & Creative Industries.
“Our partnership with IGLTA is another way that WTM Africa continues to track the latest international travel & tourism industry trends. Pink travel is on the rise globally, and facilitating safe, comfortable travel for LGBTQ+ travellers to Africa’s wonderful destinations is the focus of EQUAL Africa in partnership with IGLTA,” says Hiller.
"We truly appreciate the partnership with Africa Travel Week and the opportunity to curate LGBTQ+ travel content under the EQUAL Africa banner," says IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella.
"It's given us the opportunity to create year-round visibility and resources to support LGBTQ+ travel and champion the need for diversity, equity and inclusion in the African tourism industry and around the world. ATW Virtual unites an incredible group of IGLTA members to share DEI strategies and LGBTQ+ marketing best practices to help our industry rebuild in a more open and inclusive way."
IGLTA works to advance LGBTQ+ travel globally by providing information and resources for LGBTQ+ travellers and demonstrating the significant social and economic impact of LGBTQ+ tourism. IGLTA’s membership includes LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, travel advisors, tour operators, events and travel media in 80 countries.
ATW Virtual provides a connection for global travel professionals to collaborate and shape the recovery of the African travel industry, through one-on-one meetings between exhibitors and buyers, taking place over three days in order to accommodate different time zones. Attendees will also benefit from additional value-adds such as directory listings, speed networking sessions and roundtable discussions.
“Our goal really is to provide a pivotal platform for the continent’s travel and tourism industry, inspiring, educating and rebuilding the travel and tourism industry over the course of the three days and beyond, whether you’re connecting with new buyers and exhibitors virtually, or attending the exciting panel discussions and presentations run by industry experts.
“While ATW puts a firm spotlight on Africa’s tourism sector, EQUAL Africa in partnership with IGLTA is a celebration of the significance and power of the dreams of the LGBTQ+ traveller. We can be the catalysts for shaping the future of LGBTQ+ travel in Africa and the rest of the world,” concludes Hiller.
