The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association has unveiled Milan
as the destination for its convention next year. Samantha Mayling spoke to the association’s chief executive, John Tanzella
I
GLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, promises delegates are in for a treat at next May’s conference
in Italy’s fashion capital, Milan. “It is a sophisticated,
contemporary, stylish city, with great shopping, culture and history,” says John Tanzella, chief executive of the US-headquartered association. He recently returned to head
office in Fort Lauderdale aſter a 10-day fact-finding and networking mission in northern Italy. “It’s very walkable,” he says. “I
saw Giselle the ballet at La Scala opera house; it was stunning. Our conference opening party will be at Sforzesco Castle, which was built in the 15th century, and is home to Michelangelo’s last sculpture.” Milan has a vibrant, cosmopolitan
LGBTQ+ community, and hosts a week-long Pride celebration every June. “Tis will be the first time we’ve held our annual convention in Italy,” says Tanzella. “Te country is LGBTQ-friendly, especially in Milan and the north, and there are LGBTQ organisations throughout Italy. “It is not quite as progressive as England, but it is geting there, even
16 24 OCTOBER 2019
in regions farther south.” Arcigay, the main Italian
LGBTQ+ organisation, has more than 70 chapters in Italy, and IGLTA has partnered with Italy’s equivalent, the Associazione Italiana Turismo Gay & Lesbian.
Travel, Learn, Connect Te theme of the conference is ‘Travel, Learn, Connect’, and Tanzella hopes the European location will atract more delegates from the UK and Europe. About 500-600 delegates are
expected, slightly down on the record total of 700 at this year’s event in New York (April 24-27). “We have about 30
members from the UK, so it is relatively small, but we have got many members that sell the UK, from Europe and America,” he says.
He urges UK travel
agencies and other British travel trade firms to join IGLTA and atend the conference to capitalise on the
growing LGBTQ+ travel market. “We have a lot of travel agents outside the UK selling the UK market,” he says. “London is a huge destination, but we would like the UK travel agency side to grow. “With our conference being in
Milan, we hope it will atract them to come to Italy to learn about LGBTQ suppliers and trends – and network with delegates from around the world.” Since the last conference in
May, many new tours have been created and more atention has been focused on the sector in different destinations. “Tere was a massive amount of media atention in New York, thanks in part to the Stonewall anniversary and World Pride,” says Tanzella.
Research A key aim of the convention is to help
80%
of LGBTQ clients are brand loyal
businesses and destinations atract more LGBTQ+ travellers. One example is in the Western
Pacific island of Guam, which has been working with IGLTA for two years to target honeymooners from places such as Japan, Taiwan and Korea. “[Guam] has done its homework
and research,” says Tanzella. “Tey atend our conventions and they are seeing a return on their investment.” He advises other travel firms to
follow suit: “Do your homework; don’t just jump in without understanding the market. Te LGBTQ market is as diverse as the mainstream market, and encompasses adventure travel, cruises, city breaks, countryside trips and family holidays. Get to know your clients – they are 80% brand loyal – so understand which brands are popular. Tanzella highlighted that the US LGBTQ+ market has a $100
travelweekly.co.uk
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