Global LGBT+ travel organisation welcomes the next generation of LGBT+ welcoming tourism professionals to Toronto.
THE International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association Foundation (IGLTAF) today announced the recipients of this year’s conference scholarships for the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGLTA) Annual Global Convention taking place in Toronto from May 9-12.
IGLTAF’s scholarship program was created to support the next generation of LGBT+ travel professionals (and allies). Convention scholarships are awarded to small travel business owners in emerging markets and university students pursuing careers in the tourism industry.
Gary Murakami, CMP, CMM, Chair, IGLTAF Board of Directors, said: “The scholarship program is a cornerstone focus for the IGLTA Foundation.
“Through our global network, we can accelerate the professional development of deserving and passionate individuals, both LGBT+ small business owners and students from the local community, who are focused on promoting LGBT+ tourism and making the travel landscape a more welcoming place.”
David Martin Small Business Scholarship
This scholarship category was renamed for 2018 to honour IGLTA’s late volunteer ambassador in Spain, David Martin, a dedicated supporter of LGBT+ business. These scholarships are awarded to LGBT+ business owners in either emerging markets or destinations facing challenges to developing LGBT+ tourism.
This year’s recipients are:
♦ Michael Kajubi, McBern Travel & Tours, Uganda. Kajubi founded his company in Mukono in 2013 and became an advocate for LGBT+ travel safety in a country known for homophobia.
♦ Jarett Sprock, PinkCuraçao.com, Curaçao. Launched in 2015, PinkCuraçao.com, co-owned by Sprock, provides a web resource for visitors and monthly events for locals and tourists alike.
Building Bridges Scholarship Program
The IGLTA Foundation also supports convention registration for hospitality students in or near each year’s convention host city.
This year’s Toronto-area recipients are: Marco Briganti and Nicholas Tremblay of Ryerson University and John Chervy Rosal of Centennial College.
All scholarship recipients participate in the entire IGLTA convention program, ensuring they will have the opportunity to connect with travel industry leaders from around the world, receive mentorship from professionals in their areas of interest and attend educational sessions.
IGLTA is the leading member-based global organisation dedicated to LGBT+ tourism and an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. IGLTA’s mission is to provide information and resources for LGBT+ travellers and expand LGBT+ tourism globally by demonstrating its significant social and economic impact.
The association’s membership includes LGBT+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and travel media in more than 80 countries.
In 2012, the philanthropic IGLTA Foundation was launched to support the mission of the association and its membership through education, research and leadership development.
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