March 16, 2012
IGLTA Announces Travel Honors to Be Awarded at Brazil Convention
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Fort Lauderdale, FL-The 29th Annual Global Convention of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association in Florianopolis, Brazil (12-14 April) is not only the gay tourism industry's premier networking and educational event, but also an opportunity to honor individuals and companies that have helped to make the world more inviting to LGBT travelers.
These annual awards are selected by the IGLTA board of directors from the association's membership of tourism businesses in 89 countries. "The board of IGLTA is so very pleased to recognize these honorees from around the world," said IGLTA Chair Tanya Churchmuch.
"Each and every one of them has played an important role in promoting LGBT travel in the most extraordinary of ways, from pioneering LGBT family travel to highlighting the plight of gays and lesbians in the Middle East to spearheading LGBT media in Brazil. It's an honor to recognize each of them for the work they are doing every day."
The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association is the leading member-based global organization dedicated to LGBT tourism. Its mission is to create value for LGBT travelers and expand LGBT tourism globally by demonstrating its significant social and economic impact.
Founded in 1983 with 25 members, IGLTA now has a truly global presence with dues-paying member businesses in 89 countries. The association represents LGBT and LGBT-friendly accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, and events, as well as the LGBT travel consumers they wish to serve.
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.