Madrid’s Counsellor for Employment, Tourism and Culture, Ana Isabel Marino, recently welcomed the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) Board of Directors to the city and introduced them to directors and CEOs of major companies and public administration interested in the gay market.
Their intention was to raise awareness for the 31st IGLTA Annual Global Convention for gay tourism, which Madrid is hosting between May 8-10, 2014.
This is the first time in its 31-year history that the IGLTA convention will be held in Spain, and marks the first time that Spain’s national, regional and local governments have united to openly promote LGBT tourism and businesses.
Marino was accompanied at the event by Director General of Tourspain (the top organisation responsible for the promotion of tourism in Spain), Marta Blanco; the Delegate of the Arts, Sports and Tourism of the City Hall of Madrid, Pedro Corral; IGLTA Board Chair Dan Melesurgo; and IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella.
The IGLTA board was also received in the Spanish Parliament – the highest institution of state representation.
Teófilo de Luis and Álvaro Romero from the Cabinet of the President of the Congress of Deputies held a long meeting with IGLTA – another major step toward integrating the gay market in the country.
David Martin Moreno and Juan Pedro Tudela of Diversity Consulting, who are serving as consultants for the convention in Spain, co-ordinated these events. Strategic support was also provided through the LGBT Chambers of Commerce in Spain led by Rafael Moral Escudero.
Gay tourism accounts for 700 million euros annually in the region of Madrid. The LGBT segment has a high disposable income, spends nearly 40 percent more than the average niche market, and travels year-round.
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