IGLTA Honored by PATWA for Fostering Inclusive Travel at ITB Berlin Ceremony

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) honored the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) with the prestigious 2024 International Travel Award for Best Organization – Inclusivity. This recognition marks a historical first for PATWA, celebrated at a special event during ITB Berlin. The PATWA International Travel Awards are dedicated to acknowledging the significant achievements of governments, organizations, brands, ministers, and individuals in enhancing tourism.

The IGLTA is committed to creating an inviting and inclusive atmosphere for LGBTQ+ travelers globally. Being acknowledged by PATWA, an esteemed entity within the industry, stands as a profound affirmation of their continuous work in this direction.

“We are incredibly proud to be recognized by PATWA for our dedication to inclusivity. This award serves as a powerful motivator as we continue to elevate LGBTQ+ travel and collaborate with industry leaders through our membership network to create a more diverse and welcoming travel landscape,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella (he/him).

“For our new Organizational Excellence category of the PATWA International Travel Awards we selected IGLTA for inclusivity. As an international nonprofit media organization, PATWA strongly believes that tourism should have no geographic, social, religious or economic boundaries. Similarly, we believe inclusivity extends to LGBTQ+ travelers, ensuring travel is safe and equal for everyone,” said Yatan Ahluwalia (he/him), Secretary General of Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA). 

Known for their meticulous evaluation procedure, the PATWA International Travel Awards salute exceptional performance in the realms of travel, tourism, aviation, and hospitality. The award ceremony was a high-profile event, with the presence of eight tourism ministers, four governors, two senators, as well as ambassadors, and the heads of numerous hotels, airlines, and industry giants. Additionally, two of IGLTA’s destination members, the Malta Tourism Authority and Embratur, received significant accolades: the Malta Ministry of Tourism was celebrated for being the Tourism Minister of the Year – Mediterranean Region and for being the Destination of the Year – Mediterranean Region, while Brazil earned the title for Tourism Minister of the Year – South America and Destination of the Year.

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