Tourism leaders promote inclusive destinations at the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Convention
Daniella Lake
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs is known for tourism and being a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community.
Tourism leaders from around the world are in Palm Springs this week to promote destinations known for inclusivity. They say their work is about more than selling vacations.
The goal for hundreds of travel professionals gathering at the Palm Springs Convention Center this week is to improve LGBTQ tourism around the world.
Ace World Travel Founder Aurelio Giordano wanted to make sure he had the right resources for his LGBTQ clients to experience safe traveling, so he’s been attending the convention for the past decade.
Giordano says, “The number one thing is always safety, right? Am I going to be safe there if I decide to hold my partner’s hand while we’re walking down the street or even just down the hallway of the hotel? Are we going to feel okay doing that?”
This year, with a volatile political climate, there was a record-breaking turnout.
International LGBTQ+ Travel Association CEO John Tanzella says, “We do feel like in this country we’re kind of going backwards on a lot of LGBTQ rights. It’s becoming much more difficult for LGBTQ visitors to America, which is really challenging, particularly for the transgender community.
Between 2024 and this year, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) found there were over 900 anti-LGBTQ incidents in the U.S. – That’s almost three incidents every day.
Visitors say that rainbow banners, decorations, and open displays of pride in and around the Palm Springs area truly make them feel welcome and safe here.
Giordano remarks, “I’ve been hearing about Palm Springs for a long time, being here, experiencing it. There’s just so much literal and figurative warmth, you know, from the people, smiles everywhere. . . I just love that, you know, people are just here, just living their lives in peace and freedom.”