ELTA - European Lgbtq+ Travel Alliance

10/11/2026

06/11/2026

The Fourth Edition of the Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism will open with Institutional Opening and Welcome Remarks, highlighting the importance of public-private cooperation in building a more competitive, responsible and inclusive European tourism industry.

Opening the event:
• Alessio Virgili – President of ELTA
• Victoria PETROVA – Senior Expert for Accessibility and Inclusiveness, Tourism Unit, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission
• Artúr Lengyel – ELTA Board Chair

Guiding the conversation throughout the event will be Reginald Charlot, Strategic & Commercial Advisor at Sonders&Beach World, who will serve as Event Moderator.
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📅 9 November 2026
📍 Aula Giulio Cesare, Campidoglio, Rome
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🔎 View the full programme: https://elta-diversity.org/estates-general-european-lgbtq-tourism/
👉 Participation is free, but places are limited. RSVP: https://forms.gle/VJ62jjxX98D8TvRX9
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The event is held under the patronage of the European Parliament and Federturismo Confindustria, in collaboration with Roma – Assessorato Grandi Eventi, Sport, Turismo e Moda, with the support of Serravalle Designer Outlet, BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe, UNAHOTELS Decò, Sonders&Beach World and Visit MaltaVisitMalta, and in media partnership with Travel Quotidiano and Quiiky Magazine.

05/11/2026

We are delighted to see the Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism featured in the latest issue of Hospitality Business Magazine Italia.

The article explores some of the key topics shaping this year’s edition, from business travel and artificial intelligence to emerging LGBTQ+ tourism segments.

A special thank you to the editorial team for highlighting the event.

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📅 9 November 2026 – Campidoglio, Rome
👉 Only a few seats left. RSVP: https://forms.gle/VJ62jjxX98D8TvRX9

02/11/2026

There is no single LGBTQ+ traveller — and increasingly, there is no single LGBTQ+ tourism market.

Families, cruises, cultural and heritage travel, luxury, leisure, senior and solo travel are just some of the segments shaping an increasingly diverse market, each with different motivations, expectations and needs.

These themes will be at the heart of our third panel, “𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐+ 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭,” exploring how destinations and tourism businesses can develop more targeted products, experiences and hospitality strategies.

Joining the discussion:
• Gonzalo Ceballos Watling – Tourism Counsellor and Director of the Spanish Tourism Office in Rome (Spain.info)
• Maya Francione – Communications Coordinator at the Malta Tourism Authority (Visit Malta)
• Daniele Manetti – Director for Italy at Visit Flanders
• Wendy Li – National Programs Director at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council - GSTC
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📅 9 November 2026
📍 Aula Giulio Cesare, Campidoglio – Rome
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🔎 View the full programme: https://elta-diversity.org/estates-general-european-lgbtq-tourism/
👉 Participation is free, but places are limited. RSVP: https://forms.gle/VJ62jjxX98D8TvRX9
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The event is held under the patronage of the European Parliament and Federturismo Confindustria, in collaboration with Roma – Assessorato Grandi Eventi, Sport, Turismo e Moda, and with the support of Serravalle Designer Outlet, BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe, UNA HOTELS Decò, Sonders&Beach World and Visit Malta, in media partnership with Travel Quotidiano and Quiiky Magazine.

26/10/2026

Can artificial intelligence make travel safer and more inclusive — or does it risk reinforcing existing bias?

AI is rapidly changing how travellers search for information, discover destinations and make travel decisions. For LGBTQ+ travellers, access to reliable information about safety, welcoming accommodation and inclusive experiences can be especially important.

These questions will be at the heart of our second panel, “𝐀𝐈 & 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥: 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐+ 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 – 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐢𝐚𝐬?”, exploring the relationship between AI, LGBTQ+ representation, inclusive hospitality and destination discovery.

Joining the discussion:
• Luca Romozzi – Senior Director Destinations Europe at Sojern
• Alessandro Cecchi Paone – LGBTQ+ Tourism Ambassador
• Artúr Lengyel – Founder of Q Travel Malta & President of the Malta LGBTIQ+ Sports Association
• Michelle Masperi – Project Specialist, Affiliate Members and Public-Private Collaboration Department of UN Tourism
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📅 9 November 2026
📍 Aula Giulio Cesare, Campidoglio – Rome
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🔎 View the full programme: https://elta-diversity.org/estates-general-european-lgbtq-tourism/

👉 Participation is free, but places are limited. RSVP: https://forms.gle/VJ62jjxX98D8TvRX9
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The event is held under the patronage of the European Parliament, Roma – Assessorato Grandi Eventi, Sport, Turismo e Moda and Federturismo Confindustria, with the support of Serravalle Designer Outlet, BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe, UNA HOTELS Decò and Visit Malta, and in media partnership with Travel Quotidiano and Quiiky Magazine.

19/10/2026

💼 What does it really mean to travel safely for work as an LGBTQ+ professional?

Safety concerns, disclosure and access to adequate support can still affect the experience of LGBTQ+ business travellers and raise important questions for companies, destinations and hospitality operators.

These issues will be at the heart of our first panel, “𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐+ 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥: 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲, 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲”, exploring how corporate travel policies, duty of care and good hospitality practices can contribute to safer and more consistent business travel experiences.

Joining the discussion:
• Roberta Billè – President, GBTA | Italy
• Giovanna Ceccherini – Sales Manager at &Beach World
• Stefano Mazzotti – Member of the EPBN DE&I Catalyst Circle
• Edoardo Priori – Managing Director, Italy at BCD Travel
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📅 9 November 2026
📍 Aula Giulio Cesare, Campidoglio – Rome
---
🔎 View the full programme:
https://elta-diversity.org/estates-general-european-lgbtq-tourism/

👉 Participation is free, but places are limited. RSVP: https://forms.gle/VJ62jjxX98D8TvRX9
---
The event is held under the patronage of the European Parliament, Roma – Assessorato Grandi Eventi, Sport, Turismo e Moda and Federturismo Confindustria, with the support of Serravalle Designer Outlet, BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe and Visit Malta, and in media partnership with Travel Quotidiano and Quiiky Magazine.

08/10/2026

📣 SAVE THE DATE

The Fourth Edition of the Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism will take place on 9 November 2026 at the Aula Giulio Cesare in Rome’s Campidoglio.

Under the theme “𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐+ 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭,” the event will bring together institutions, destinations, tourism professionals, hospitality brands and international stakeholders to discuss the future of LGBTQ+ tourism in Europe.

Organized by ELTA – European LGBTQ+ Travel Alliance, the event is held under the patronage of the European Parliament, Roma – Assessorato Grandi Eventi, Sport, Turismo e Moda, and Federturismo Confindustria, with the support of Serravalle Designer Outlet, BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe and Visit Malta, and in media partnership with Travel Quotidiano and Quiiky Magazine

🔎 Programme: https://lnkd.in/eWiv8zuv

👉 RSVP: https://lnkd.in/eM-RabUd

24/09/2026

The Council of Europe has adopted its first Strategy for Equal Rights for LGBTI People! 🏳️‍🌈

The Strategy (2027–32) sets out a common framework for upholding the dignity and equality of LGBTI people. Its four priorities for action:

🌈Recognising the equal rights and dignity of LGBTI people, promoting respect and inclusion
📢Countering disinformation and manipulation of information
❌️Preventing and combating violence and hatred against LGBTI people
⚖️Strengthening protection through effective legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks

At a time when equality is under pressure, the Strategy reaffirms the Council of Europe’s commitment to ensuring that human rights, democracy and the rule of law remain at the heart of our societies.

Read more: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/first-council-of-europe-strategy-for-equal-rights-of-lgbti-people-adopted-new-report-on-anti-lgbti-hate-speech-released

10/08/2026

Today we celebrate World LGBTQ+ Tourism Day 🌈

ELTA proudly supports this global initiative and invites destinations, tourism businesses, organisations and professionals to reaffirm their commitment to tourism that is inclusive, responsible, sustainable, safe and accessible to all.

This year's edition is also dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of John Tanzella, whose contribution to LGBTQ+ tourism continues to inspire our industry.

➡️ https://elta-diversity.org/elta-supports-world-lgbtq-tourism-day-2026/

04/06/2026

What can the tourism industry learn from Europe’s latest Trans Rights Report?

The Trans Rights Index & Map 2026 highlights an important reality across Europe: many advances in LGBTQ+ rights continue to be driven by civil society organizations, advocacy groups and the courts, often in the absence of strong political action.

For the tourism industry, it is a reminder that building truly inclusive destinations requires long-term commitment, collaboration and leadership.

Read our latest article 👉 https://elta-diversity.org/civil-society-inclusive-tourism-lessons-from-europes-trans-rights-report/