The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) is the world’s largest network of tourism organizations and businesses that welcome LGBTQ travelers. So when they had their annual global conference recently, it provided a very insightful opportunity to see which businesses and destinations are showing love for LGBTQ travel — and LGBTQ travelers.
The 36th edition of the conference, which took place in April at Hilton Midtown hotel in New York City, was the largest ever, with people from some 49 countries present for several days of workshops, presentations, exhibits and networking events — including several amazing receptions and parties. Tourism officials and travel industry experts from around the world gathered to discuss the latest trends in the marketplace. And Latin America was well represented — providing plenty of inspiration for anyone interested in a great gay vacation or LGBTQ getaway in Mexico, Central or South America.
Among the most visible Latin America tourism destinations at the IGLTA convention were Argentina (Inprotur, the nation’s tourism organization, sponsored a coffee break) and Colombia, whose tourism organization had a table exhibit in collaboration with Out in Colombia, an LGBTQ tour operator that offers a wide variety of interesting experiences around Colombia (I traveled with Out in Colombia on a recent visit to Medellín and they were amazing; the company works with expert guides and provides very insider experiences around the country. My full report is coming out soon in Passport Magazine).
“This was my first time attending the IGLTA Convention,” said Sam Castañeda Holdren, owner of Out in Colombia. “Coming into it I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I was impressed by the diversity of participants from across the globe, including Latin America. It was great to connect in person with others in the region, from places like Peru, Costa Rica, and Mexico, as well as other potential allies from Colombia who I hadn’t met before.”
Castañeda Holdren praised the conference’s value for travel business owners in general. “It was also reassuring to hear the stories of other entrepreneurs who have the same hopes, dreams, and fears as I have as a new business owner,” he said. “Learning that they experience the same types of successes and obstacles, and what they have done to overcome those obstacles, has boosted my confidence that we are on the right track with the work we are doing to create life-changing and memorable sustainable tourism experiences for gay travelers in Colombia.”
Representatives from Brazil and Ecuador were also present, with tables full of brochures and information about LGBTQ and gay travel in both countries (one of the Ecuador exhibitors also shared some darned good chocolate, one of the nation’s tastiest products).
Among the interesting LGBTQ tour operators in Ecuador is Nomadic Ecuador, a travel company that offers what it describes as “luxury LGBT tailor-made holidays” to regions including Ecuador’s Amazon, Andes, Pacific coast and the Galapagos islands. A company called Ecuador Safaris, meanwhile, offers women-only tours in Ecuador that include activities like horseback riding, birdwatching and photography.
In Brazil, a promotional push is aiming to lure international gay travelers to lesser-known destination called Juiz de Fora, a city in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais that’s hosting an LGBTQ pride festival August 7-18 this year.
Staying Safe When You Travel
Even the U.S. Department of State was on hand at this year’s event, providing a checklist of LGBTI Family Travel Tips. “Lesbian gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) travelers can face unique challenges when abroad,” the brochure warns. “Many countries do not recognize same-sex marriage. More than 70 countries consider consensual same-sex relations a crime, sometimes carrying severe punishment.”
To assure their safety and comfort when traveling, the U.S. State Department recommends that LGBTQ travelers research their destination thoroughly, keep their passport update and valid, and — while abroad — follow the laws of the country you visit, and be cautious about potential threats and entrapment risks. “Some LGBTI-friendly resorts and neighborhoods do not reflect the attitudes in surrounding areas,” the brochure adds.
Happily, Latin America now ranks above many other regions of the world when it comes to LGBTQ rights and equality. But it’s better to be prepared, no matter where you go. And with so many exciting new travel ideas coming from Latin America, there are a lot of reasons to start planning.