The project was presented at the ITB Diversity Gala, bringing together key global tourism leaders to champion diversity and inclusion

The ITB Diversity Gala, held on March 6 at The Ritz-Carlton in Berlin as part of ITB Berlin—one of the world’s most important tourism trade fairs. Now in its fourth edition, the gala has established itself as a global benchmark for promoting diversity in the tourism sector, bringing together leaders, companies, and organizations committed to inclusion.

During the event, Edgar Weggelaar, CEO of Queer Destinations, presented the project ‘Spain LGBTI Travel Experiences Guide’—an initiative supported by Next Generation EU funds and aligned with Spain’s national LGBTI strategy. In his speech, Weggelaar emphasized:

“Spain has long been a global leader in diversity and inclusion. But tonight, we celebrate something even bigger. With the support of Next Generation EU funds, we are setting a new global standard for safe, inclusive, and welcoming tourism. This initiative guarantees that every LGBTI traveler can experience Spain freely and authentically. Aligned with Spain’s national LGBTI strategy, it represents a bold step toward making the country the world’s most inclusive travel destination—seamlessly integrating diversity, safety, and inclusion at every stage of the tourism value chain.”

A Project Built on Innovation and Inclusion

At its core, this project focuses on developing two platforms: one for training tourism professionals in LGBTI inclusion and diversity, and a Web App to connect travelers with committed companies and destinations. This guide will also allow travelers to receive personalized recommendations for diverse and inclusive experiences. In its fourth edition, the ITB Diversity Gala once again brought together prominent representatives from the tourism industry, reinforcing its role as a key platform for promoting inclusive initiatives.

Among the attendees were Thomas Boemkes and Tom Dedek from DIVERSITY TOURISM GMBH; Rika Jean-Francois, Head of International Business Relations at Queer Destinations; Adolfo Reyes, Head of Membership & Associates at World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC); the Agència Catalana de Turisme; the Salou City Council; IGLTA; Daniela Wagner from Jacobs Media; Debbie Flynn from Finn Partners; and Christian Delom, Secretary General of A World for Travel. Additionally, members of the LGBTI Spain Travel Experiences Guide project, including Queer Destinations, ACOGAT, and Shangay, were also present. Furthermore, while they were not in attendance at the gala, other entities involved in the project—such as Respira Comunicación, Basquetour, and Axel Hotels—have played a key role in its development and dissemination, contributing to its reach and positioning.

With this initiative, Spain reaffirms its leadership in building a more diverse, inclusive, and sustainable tourism industry, embracing innovation and integrating diversity at every level of the sector’s value chain.