IGLTA and NTA Announce Partnership

The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) and the National Tour Association (NTA) announced a cooperative agreement that will bring the two organizations together on a variety of marketing, education and research opportunities.

Under the new agreement, IGLTA and NTA will collaborate on research initiatives that will benefit both associations and their memberships. Also built into the agreement are reciprocal visibility and educational opportunities at each association’s annual convention.

“We are very excited to partner with an association like NTA that has a great reputation among the tour operator industry,” said IGLTA Executive Director John Tanzella. “Tour operators are IGLTA's second-largest membership category and we want to support their business. Partnering with NTA gives us an opportunity to reach out to this very important segment of the travel industry.”

“NTA believes strongly in bringing the industry together for the better of travel and tourism, as well as for increasing business for our members,” said NTA Chairman and CEO Michele Michalewicz. “This new agreement will open new doors for NTA members by connecting them with the progressive IGLTA membership and expertise.”

IGLTA’s 26th Annual Convention will be held May 7-10, 2009, at the Hilton Toronto in downtown Toronto. Themed “Seek Chic,” this year’s conference will explore how technology can be used to increase outreach to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travelers—a market that continues to grow despite worldwide economic tightening.

The organization’s 2008 conference in Las Vegas drew record attendance, bringing together nearly 500 travel industry professionals and media from 25 countries. For more conference information, including host hotel reservation instructions and early-bird online registration rates, please visit www.iglta.org/convention. Since its founding in 1983, IGLTA has expanded its international influence from just 25 members to well over 1,800.

NTA is the preferred association in the tourism industry for packaged travel professionals. NTA's diverse membership represents 36 countries, and tour and travel packagers of all types, including group, independent and student travel. Visit www.NTAonline.com.