WHY IT RATES: The flagship event in the most welcoming LGBTQ+ city in Italy will remain. Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Writer
The International Travel Association for LGBTQ+ has announced that in 2022 it will bring its 38th Annual Global Convention to Milan. Originally scheduled for May 6-9 of this year in Milan, the convention, the leading educational and networking event for LGBTQ+ tourism, was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We have a long and successful partnership with Italy and the City of Milan, and the board of directors of IGLTA is committed to honouring and maintaining their winning convention bid as one of our prestigious host cities," said John Tanzella, President/CEO of IGLTA. "We will take great pride over the next two years in promoting Milan, Italy's most welcoming LGBTQ+ city, and sharing the destination with global travel professionals in 2022."
In partnership with ENIT (Italian National Tourist Board), the City of Milan, AITGL (Italian Gay & Lesbian Tourism Association) and the travel company Sonders & Beach, IGLTA's plans for Milan have been in the works for two years. In order to negotiate options, the stakeholders held several virtual meetings, recently finalizing plans to postpone the event to 2022 but to keep it in Milan.
"Maria Elena Rossi, Marketing and Promotion Director of ENIT, said, "I think there is a great desire to start again. Our new approach to tourism is focused on quality, on interactions between the city and the surrounding region." In 2022, thanks to this chance, IGLTA attendees will discover an even more creative product. And ENIT will continue to invest, as part of our ongoing strategic marketing, in this and other events.
"As we need to emphasize the positive, Roberta Guaineri, Tourism Counselor for the City of Milan, added: "We will start planning and promotion again with the same strength as in 2019. Milan is not only a safe city, but also a city where the quality of the offer and welcome is high, an inclusive city open to all international guests.
The annual convention of IGLTA has been on the must-attend list for travel brands participating in the LGBTQ+ industry since 1983. With LGBTQ+ tourism professionals from all over the world, including travel advisors, tour operators, influencers, and hotel and destination members, the event offers major exposure for the host city. The event hasn't been held in Madrid in Europe since 2014.
In addition to showcasing opportunities for LGBTQ+ tourism in Italy, the convention is an extraordinary opportunity for Milan and Italy to demonstrate their openness and support for LGBTQ+ travelers, said Alessio Virgili, IGLTA Ambassador for Italy, who runs Sonders & Beach and serves as AITGL President. The successful bid to bring to Milan the IGLTA Annual Global Convention was spearheaded by Virgili.
"During this period, it took great teamwork, because planning an event of this magnitude is long-term and involves many partners and processes," said Virgili. "I am still confident that the Milan IGLTA Convention will be the biggest convention ever held outside of the United States."
Prior to the Milan postponement, the next IGLTA Annual Global Convention was already planned and will take place in Atlanta, May 5-8, 2021. Please visit igltaconvention.org for more information.
SOURCE: Press release from IGLTA.
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