Before COVID-19, the travel and tourism industry was one of the world’s largest industries with a global economic contribution of over 7.6 trillion U.S. dollars. Tourism provided 10% of the world’s GDP, 7% of global trade, and as many as one in every 11 jobs globally. LGBT+ people were also historically overrepresented in tourism employment and among travelers: The current crisis is therefore disproportionately affecting them.
Fabrice Houdart will be joined by John Tanzella, Executive Director of IGLTA, and Laurie Bohn-Isaure, Associate Vice President, National Accounts at Royal Caribbean International. The discussion will include the impact we’re now facing, as well as the recovery perspectives and efforts to rebuild confidence.
John Tanzellais President/CEO International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA)
John Tanzellais the President/CEO of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), a global non-profit tourism association. Head quartered in Florida, and additional staff located in Washington D.C., Madrid, São Paulo, Bogota, Paris, London and Cape Town. IGLTA’s membership is comprised of over5,000 tourism business professionals located in 82 countries. In marketing its tourism industry business members, IGLTA reached 3.4million unique travelers in 2018.The IGLTA Foundation was created four years ago as the philanthropic arm of the association, supporting the tourism industry with research, education and developing future LGBTQ+ leaders in tourism. IGLTA is the only LGBTQ+ Associate Member of The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
Tanzella serves on the Board of Directors for the Stonewall National Museum& Archives (USA). Born in Boston to Italian immigrant parents, attended the University of Georgia, resides in Ft Lauderdale.
Laurie Bohn-Isaure Associate Vice President, National Accounts Royal Caribbean International