IGLTA confirm Global Convention in Milan 2022

The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) has confirmed that it will bring its 38th Annual Global Convention to Milan in 2022. The convention, which provides significant visibility for the host city with LGBTQ+ tourism professionals from all over the world, including travel advisors, tour operators, influencers, and representatives from hotels and destinations, was originally scheduled to take place in Milan  this year, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

John Tanzella, IGLTA President/CEO, said: ‘We have a long and successful partnership with Italy and the city of Milan, and IGLTA’s board of directors is committed to honouring their winning convention bid and keeping them in place as one of our prestigious host cities.

‘We’ll take great pride in promoting Milan, Italy’s most LGBTQ+ welcoming city, over the next two years and sharing the destination with global travel professionals in 2022.’

IGLTA’s plans for Milan have been in the works for two years in collaboration with ENIT (Italian National Tourist Board), the City of Milan, AITGL (the Italian Gay & Lesbian Tourism Association) and the travel company Sonders & Beach. The stakeholders held numerous virtual meetings to discuss options, recently finalising 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 based on quality, on experiences between the city and the surrounding area. In 2022, IGLTA attendees will discover an even more innovative product, thanks to this opportunity. And ENIT will continue to invest in this and other events, as part of our ongoing strategic marketing.’

Roberta Guaineri, Counsellor for Tourism for the City of Milan, added: ‘We will begin the planning and promotion again with the same strength as in 2019, because we need to emphasise the positive. 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.’

IGLTA’s next Annual Global Convention was already scheduled prior to the Milan postponement and will take place in Atlanta, May 5-8, 2021. For more information, visit their website.