2022 IGLTA Honors & IGLTAF Impact Award

IGLTA Honors are chosen by the association's board of directors and presented during each year's Annual Global Convention to individuals or businesses that have improved the global landscape for LGBTQ+ travelers. Presented with the generous support of VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

This Honor, bestowed to a longtime IGLTA member, takes its name from the man widely considered the father of gay travel. The IGLTA Board of Directors make the selection from the association's member businesses and allies in 80 countries.

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This Honor is given to an individual, business or organization that, while not LGBTQ+, has demonstrated a long-term commitment to championing inclusive travel, helping to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ travelers worldwide. 

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There was a special IGLTA board Chair's Award this year to honor the legacy of Arne Sorenson, who was president and CEO of Marriott International, Inc., from 2012 until his passing in February 2021.

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The Pinnacle Award, IGLTA's highest honor, is selected by the Chair of the IGLTA board of directors and is given to an individual, business or organization that has truly made a heroic journey in advancing LGBTQ+ travel worldwide. 

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The IGLTA Foundation empowers LGBTQ+ welcoming businesses through leadership, research and education. This award recognizes a business member of IGLTA whose initiatives encourage the responsible development of tourism in three key areas: environment, community, diversity & inclusion. The Impact Award is presented in partnership with The TreadRight Foundation, the foundation created by The Travel Corporation's family of brands.

About the Impact Award

Summary:
Our Impact Award focuses on initiatives and efforts that encourage the sustainable and responsible development of tourism. The award encompasses a holistic approach to the matter of sustainability as it does and should affect us all. 

The award will be presented in in Milan at the IGLTA Global Convention. The Impact Award will recognize a smaller, independent IGLTA business member based on 3 pillars of sustainability that are of the greatest impact to us at IGLTAF.

Three Pillars of Sustainability:
1. Environment
A project, and/or an initiative, that demonstrates the true responsibility and values of sustainable tourism.

2. Community
A project, and/or an initiative, focuses on communication, cooperation, and compromise by many different stakeholders to build consensus and the well-being of the locals. Stakeholders include the general public, academia, industry, government, environmental groups, community groups, and indigenous groups.

3. Diversity & Inclusion
A project, and/or an initiative, that recognizes diversity as more than just a word. An organization that establishes commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, sexual identity, religion, and experience to drive the organization forward. In summary, welcoming to all, and where difference is valued.

Founded in 2016 in Medellín, OUT in Colombia is committed to creating life-changing experiences for travelers that also engage members of the local LGBTQ+ community and protect Colombia’s biodiversity. Among the company’s recent initiatives was the formation of the Cocora Alliance to create a platform for charitable giving from tour proceeds; the project is named after the Cocora Valley, home to Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm, which is a major draw for tourists to the region, but also is endangered.

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