Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism
The Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism is an annual event, held each year in a different EU country, where the main players of the tourism industry meets to discuss inclusive tourism, new trends and the state of art of LGBTQ+ tourism in Europe. The event also includes a Marketplace and Fam/Press trips.
First Edition
LGBTQ+ Tourism generates an impressive impact on travel economy, beyond its value for inclusion and respect of diversities.
Entitled “Next Generation EU: Tourism as trailblazer for Economic and Social Sustainable Development“, the First edition of Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism was held in April 2022 at Elfo Puccini Theatre in Milan. It focused on the state of art of this market in Europe, considering the European Union policy on sustainable and inclusive tourism and comparing the policies adopted by Public Tourist Boards as sample of EU Nations policies, in Works end with the realization of a shared manifesto, to be submitted to the International Convention of LGBTQ+ Tourism and addressing public/private institutions of EU countries.
The event was organized by AITGL – National Italian Board for LGBTQ+ Tourism, under the high Patronage of the European Parliament, of Milan Municipality, Confindustria Federturismo and IGLTA.
Programme
After the cut of the ribbon by the mayor of Milan – Beppe Sala – and the institutional greetings of the AITGL’s President – Alessio Virgili, the director of regional department for Europe at UNWTO – Alessandra Priante, the ENIT President – Giorgio Palmucci, the Assolombarda attractiveness supply chain coordinator – Federico Chiarini and the Italian journalist, anchorman & science communicator – Alessandro Cecchi Paone, the first panel is started.
Entitled “The European Union on Sustainable Tourism: a social and economic focus. Presentation of the European shared Manifesto, addressing travel inclusivity and accessibility“, the panel was held by:
- Mario Furore – European Parliament representative of TRAN Commission and LGBTI Intergroup
- Marina Lalli – President of Confindustria Federturismo
- Ivana Jelinic – President of Fiavet
- Maria Carmela Colaiacovo – President of Confindustria Alberghi
- Martina Riva – Deputy Mayor for Tourism of Milan
- Magda Antonioli – Bocconi University and Vice President European Travel Commission
- Clark Massad – Vice President & Global Partnerships of IGLTA
- Tim Fairhurst – Secretary General di European Tourism Association (ETOA)
After a coffee break, the event continued with a discussion about “LGBTQ+ European Market: Destinations Case Histories” conducted by Marianna di Salle from Bocconi University and with a round table on European LGBTQ+ Tourism where European Tourism Boards and CVBs verified and monitored the positioning of Europe in the world, compared with other Western Countries. The second was held by:
- Maria Elena Rossi – Marketing Director of ENIT
- Kyriaki Boulasidou – Director of Greek Tourism Board in Italy
- Frederick Boutry – Gay & Lesbian Mktg Advisor of Brussels Tourism Board
- Ester Tamasi – Director of Visit Malta Tourism Board in Italy
- Isabel Garaña Corces – Director of Spain Tourism Board
- Eleni Sarikosta – Mktg Manager of Ionian Islands, Caldidian Peninsula & Central Macedonia
- Kalanit Goren – Director of Israel Tourism Board
- Elisabeth Ones – Director Tourism Innovation Norway Italy
The third and last panel was a discussion about “LGBTQ+ European Market: Diversity & Inclusion Protocol” conducted by Daniela Asaro, Head of Health & Well-Being Certification Strategic Center at RINA and Giovanna Ceccherini Sales Manager at Sonders&Beach.
Second Edition
The second edition of Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism will be hosted in Brussels on May 16, 2024 at BIP Meeting Center (2, Rue Royale, Brussels)
Organized by ELTA – European LGBTQ+ Travel Alliance, under the high Patronage of the European Parliament, in collaboration with Visit Brussels, in partnership with IGLTA Foundation and with the support of Accor Hotels, easyJet, Sonders and Beach, Serravalle Designer Outlet and RailEurope, the event will include a Think Thank, three round tables with European Companies, Destinations and Institutions. It is a unique opportunity to learn about LGBTQ+ tourism and correlated DE&I issues.
Programme
- 16 May 2024
- BIP Meeting Center (2, Rue Royale, Brussels)
- 09:00 AM - 13:00 AM
Organized by
In partnership with
Sponsored by
08:30 AM – 09:00 AM
Welcoming participants
09:00 AM – 09:30 AM
Opening and welcome
Speakers:
- Alessio Virgili – President of ELTA
- Thomas Segretain – Policy Officer – European Commission (Tourism Unit -DG GROW)
- Tatiana Veselova – Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Manager at European Travel Commission
- Enrica Tomei – Vice Chair of the Board of ELTA
09:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Round Table 1 | Beyond Borders: Championing DE&I in European LGBTQ+ Travel
Speakers:
- Clark Massad – Vice President – Global Partnerships IGLTA
- Artur Lengyel – Founder of Q Travel Malta / ELTA Board
- Eva Maria Lange – CEO and Founder of Pink Iceland
- Marko Mihailović – Director of Pride Society, PR consultant
- Zsolt Jordi Erdei – Founder & President Humen Association / Pink Budapest LGBTQ+ Tourism project
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Coffee Break
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Round Table 2 | Inclusive Destinations & Companies: Advancing LGBTQ Tourism Practices in Europe
Speakers:
- Alessandra Priante – President of ENIT Spa
- Erwin van der Graaf – Vice President Operations managed hotels Western Europe, premium, midscale, economy brands at Accor
- Frederick Boutry – Diversity, Nightlife and Sports market advisor at VisitBrussels
- Valentine Camusot – General Manager for Europe at Rail Europe
- Daniele Rutigliano – Tourism Manager at McArthurglen Group
- Giovanna Ceccherini – Sales Manager at Sonders&Beach
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Round Table 3 | Data analysis: LGBTQ+ European Travel Market
Speakers:
- Damiano Meola – Marketing Director at The Data Appeal Company
- Luca Romozzi – Sr Director, Destinations EMEA & APAC at Sojern
- Peter Jordan – Founder of Gen C Traveller
- Philippe De Wulf – Head of VO Citizen
12:45 PM – 01:00 PM
Closing remarks and final greetings
Keynote Speaker:
- Alessandro Cecchi Paone – Testimonial LGBTQ+ Tourism
To follow a networking lunch.
Third Edition
Programme
The third edition of the Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism will be held in Milan on October 1, 2025, at Milano Verticale | UNA Esperienze (Via Carlo de Cristoforis, 6).
Organized by ELTA – European LGBTQ+ Travel Alliance, under the patronage of the European Parliament, IGLTA Foundation and Federturismo Confindustria, with the support of Airbnb, Serravalle Designer Outlet, The Greek National Tourism Organisation, BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe and Queervadis, and in partnership with GNetwork360 and EGLCC – European LGBTIQ Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature four engaging panels focusing on key topics: LGBTQ+ market trends, inclusive marketing strategies, and best practices for DE&I in tourism. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights from European companies, destinations, and institutions committed to advancing inclusive tourism.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
06:30 PM
Welcome reception
Join us on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the Rosa Grand Milano (Piazza Fontana, 3 – 20122 Milan) for a special Welcome Reception featuring an evening aperitif and networking with destination experts, hoteliers, and media professionals. On this occasion, the QPrize by Quiiky Magazine will be presented.
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, don’t miss the Europe’s Summit for LGBTQ+ Tourism: Inclusion Between East & West — a full day dedicated to travel professionals from across Europe, featuring think tanks, round tables, networking opportunities, coffee break, and business lunch.
09:00 AM
Welcoming participants
09:30 AM – 09:45 AM
Opening and welcome
Speakers:
- Alessio Virgili – President of ELTA
- Bruno Castro – Policy Officer in the European Commission’s Directorate General for Transport and Mobility (DG.MOVE)
- Gaia Romani – Councillor for Decentralization, Districts and Participation, General Civic Services – Municipality of Milan
- Alessandro Cecchi Paone – Testimonial LGBTQ+ Tourism
- Aalap Shah – Queervadis Consultant & International Business Relations
09:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Round Table 1 | Europe: The Most Inclusive Destination in the Western World
This panel will explore Europe’s current landscape regarding LGBTQ+ rights, traveler safety, and the implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) policies. By examining recent legislative developments in the United States—such as Executive Orders 14168 and 14151, which have rolled back protections for transgender individuals and dismantled federal DE&I programs — we will contrast these actions with Europe’s commitment to inclusivity. The discussion aims to assess whether Europe’s progressive stance solidifies its position as the most inclusive destination in the Western world for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Speakers:
- Blanca Perez Sauquillo – Director of the Spanish Tourism Board in Milan
- Jóhannes Þór Skúlason – CEO of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association (SAF)
- Kyriaki Boulasidou – Director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in Italy
- Giuseppe Giulio – Head of International Business Relations for JN Global Project / Gay Games 2026 Valencia and LGBTQ+ Segment Consultant for the Spanish Tourism Board in the United States
10:30 AM – 11:15 PM
Round Table 2 | The Economic Cost of Non-Inclusion: Quantifying the Impact
This session will present findings from a recent survey highlighting the economic repercussions for European countries lacking robust LGBTQ+ rights and DE&I policies. The data indicates that such nations experience significant losses in attracting LGBTQ+ travelers — a niche market characterized by higher-than-average spending, brand loyalty, and a preference for inclusive destinations. The panel will analyze how the absence of inclusive legislation not only undermines social equity but also results in tangible economic disadvantages, emphasizing the dual benefits of embracing LGBTQ+ rights from both a societal and economic perspective.
Speakers:
- Luigi Cabrini – Chairman, GSTC Board of Directors
- Giovanna Ceccherini – Sales Manager at Sonders & Beach
- Joel Diaz – Membership Manager – Europe for IGLTA
- Goran Miletić – Senior Advisor to the Executive Director at Civil Rights Defenders and Founder and CEO at Balkans Forward Foundation
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Coffee Break
11:45 PM – 12:30 PM
Round Table 3 | Adapting European Tourism to Evolving Political Landscapes: Tools and Strategies
Building on insights from the previous panels, this discussion will focus on how European tourism is reorganizing in response to shifting political climates both within and outside the continent. We will explore practical tools such as targeted certifications, specialized training programs, and inclusive marketing strategies that destinations and businesses can employ to attract LGBTQ+ travelers. The panel will also examine how these initiatives not only enhance traveler experiences but also provide competitive advantages to companies and regions committed to inclusivity.
Speakers:
- Diego Rumazza – Global Director of Sales at Starhotels
- Maria Teresa Cantù – Head of Membership Marketing & ESG, Marketing Dept. at BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe
- Valeria Ghezzi – Vice President of Federturismo Confindustria
Barbara Fontana – Tourism Executive at McArthurGlen Group
12:30 PM – 01:15 PM
Round Table 4 | Data for Inclusion: Measuring the Impact of LGBTQ+ Tourism in Europe
This panel will explore how data collection and analysis can drive more inclusive tourism strategies, investment, and policy decisions across Europe. Panelists will share insights on the economic cost of non-inclusion, emerging traveler behavior patterns, and the importance of intersectional data to capture the diversity of LGBTQ+ experiences. The discussion will highlight practical approaches for destinations, hotels, and investors to use data as a tool for both social progress and economic growth.
Speakers:
- Pavel Subrt – Co-founder of East Meets West & EGLCC
- Daniele Manetti – Sales Director at Sojern
- Artur Lengyel – Founder of Q Travel Malta & President of the Malta LGBTIQ+ Sports Association
- Greta Barbone – Human Rights Manager at Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026
01:15 PM – 01:30 PM
Closing remarks and final greetings
01:30 PM – 02:30 PM
Standing & Networking Lunch
Fourth Edition
Programme Preliminary Schedule
The fourth edition of the Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism will take place in Rome on November 8-9, 2026, bringing together tourism professionals, institutions, destinations, hospitality brands and international stakeholders to discuss the trends and transformations shaping the future of LGBTQ+ tourism in Europe.
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, the 2026 edition will focus on an LGBTQ+ travel market that is not only growing, but becoming increasingly diverse, complex and interconnected with some of the major transformations affecting the global travel industry.
Organized by ELTA – European LGBTQ+ Travel Alliance, the Estates General has become a European platform for dialogue, networking and strategic discussion around LGBTQ+ tourism, bringing together the public and private sectors to connect inclusion with business development, innovation, destination strategies and new travel trends.
Under the theme “LGBTQ+ Tourism: The Long Tail of a Growing Market,” this year’s edition will explore how the LGBTQ+ travel market is evolving beyond traditional definitions. Business travel, artificial intelligence, new traveler profiles, cruise tourism and different social and cultural contexts are creating new challenges and opportunities for destinations and tourism companies.
Through high-level panels, case studies and industry perspectives, the programme will examine how tourism organizations can better understand and respond to the diversity of LGBTQ+ travelers while developing more relevant products, services and destination strategies.
The Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism is designed for tourism professionals from Italy and across Europe, including destination management organizations, tourism boards, hoteliers, tour operators, travel advisors, institutions, media professionals, corporate travel stakeholders and technology companies interested in the development of the LGBTQ+ travel market.
Sunday, November 8, 2026
06:30 PM
Welcome reception
The opening evening will be held at the prestigious Sala della Protomoteca in Rome’s Campidoglio, where guests will gather for the QPrize ceremony, followed by a networking reception bringing together international tourism professionals, institutions, media representatives and hospitality leaders.
Monday, November 9, 2026
The conference day will take place at the historic Aula Giulio Cesare in the Campidoglio, followed by a light lunch at Terrazza Caffarelli.
09:30 AM – 09:45 AM
Institutional Opening and Welcome Remarks
The conference will open with institutional greetings from European, national and tourism representatives, highlighting the role of public-private cooperation in supporting the development of a competitive, responsible and inclusive European tourism industry.
Speakers:
- Victoria Petrova – Senior Expert for Accessibility and Inclusiveness, Tourism Unit, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission
09:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Round Table 1 | LGBTQ+ Business Travel Safety Trust and Corporate Responsibility
Business travel is an increasingly relevant dimension of the LGBTQ+ travel market, but recent research shows that LGBTQ+ professionals can still face specific concerns related to safety, disclosure and access to adequate support when travelling for work.
The panel will examine what these challenges mean for companies, destinations and the hospitality industry, exploring corporate travel policies, duty of care, destination information, accommodation choices and employee support.
Drawing on recent market data and practical examples, the discussion will highlight good practices that companies and hospitality operators can implement to create safer and more consistent travel experiences for LGBTQ+ employees and guests, while considering inclusion as an increasingly relevant component of corporate travel management.
Speakers:
- Roberta Billè – President, GBTA Italy
- Giovanna Ceccherini – Sales Manager at Sonders & Beach
- Stefano Mazzotti – Member of the EPBN DE&I Catalyst Circle
10:30 AM – 11:15 PM
Round Table 2 | AI & Safe Travel: Certifying LGBTQ+ Inclusive Hospitality Beyond Pinkwashing – Digital Revolution or Risk of Bias?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way travelers search for information, discover destinations and make travel decisions. For LGBTQ+ travelers, who frequently seek specific information about safety, local communities, welcoming accommodation and inclusive experiences, this transformation introduces new opportunities as well as new questions.
What happens when travel recommendations are increasingly generated by AI? Which destinations, businesses and LGBTQ+ experiences become visible – and which risk being overlooked or misrepresented?
The panel will explore the relationship between AI, LGBTQ+ representation and travel discovery, addressing potential bias, the quality and reliability of information and the visibility of inclusive tourism products. It will also consider how destinations, hospitality brands and tourism organizations can prepare for an environment in which artificial intelligence increasingly influences how travelers perceive and choose places and experiences.
Speakers:
- Luca Romozzi – Commercial Director Europe, Corporate & Destinations, Sojern
- Alessandro Cecchi Paone – Testimonial LGBTQ+ Tourism
11:45 PM – 12:30 PM
Round Table 3 | Intersectionality and New LGBTQ+ Travel Segments Understanding a Diversifying Market
There is no single LGBTQ+ traveler – and increasingly, there is no single LGBTQ+ tourism market.
As the sector develops, a growing number of segments are emerging with different motivations, expectations and travel behaviors: LGBTQ+ families, cultural and heritage tourism, cruises, luxury travel, beach and leisure tourism, solo travel, senior travel and events, alongside other specialized travel experiences.
The panel will examine this growing long tail of LGBTQ+ tourism and how destinations and tourism businesses can better understand different traveler profiles and translate this knowledge into products, experiences, communication and hospitality.
Intersectionality will provide an additional lens through which to understand how factors such as gender identity, age, ethnicity and cultural background can shape the travel experience.
The discussion will also consider the diversity of European destinations themselves. Different social, cultural and regulatory contexts – including those found across Western and Eastern Europe – create different conditions for LGBTQ+ tourism development and require strategies capable of responding to local realities while remaining connected to an increasingly international market.
Within this broader framework, LGBTQ+ cruise tourism will be examined as one of the most visible examples of a specialized and growing travel segment. Recent cases involving cruise itineraries and destination access provide an opportunity to discuss traveler safety, welcoming policies and the economic and reputational implications of different approaches to LGBTQ+ tourism.
Representatives from Greece, Spain, Malta, Flanders and Italy will be invited to share their experience not only in relation to cruise tourism, but also across other areas developed by their destinations – from cultural and heritage travel to family, luxury, events, leisure and other emerging LGBTQ+ tourism segments.
This comparative approach will allow tourism boards to present the diversity of their tourism offer while exploring how destinations can respond to different traveler profiles through targeted products, hospitality strategies and cooperation with the tourism industry.
Speakers:
- Gonzalo Ceballos Watling – Tourism Counsellor and Director, Spanish Tourism Office in Rome
- Kyriaki Boulasidou – Director, Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) in Italy
- Maya Francione – Communications Coordinator Malta Tourism Authority in Italy
- Daniele Manetti – Director Italy, VISITFLANDERS
Become a Speaker
Would you like to become a speaker at the fourth edition of the Estates General of European LGBTQ+ Tourism?
We welcome applications from tourism professionals, destinations, institutions, hospitality leaders, academics and companies working on diversity, inclusion and innovation within the travel industry.
More Info & Speaker Applications
secretariat@elta-diversity.org
Reserve Your Seat
Address
Milano Verticale | UNA Esperienze - Via Carlo de Cristoforis, 6, 20124 Milano MI
More Info
secretariat@elta-diversity.org
Previous Speakers
Our bench of speakers includes many industry experts. Join the event means get in touch with them, address important issues regarding the situation of LGBTQ+ Tourism in Europe and discover how businesses operate on DE&I policies.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Pavel Subrt
Co-founder of East Meets West & EGLCC
Alessandra Priante
President of ENIT Spa
Alessio Virgili
President of ELTA
Luigi Cabrini
Chairman, GSTC Board of Directors
Daniele Manetti
Sales Director at Sojern
Barbara Fontana
Tourism Executive at McArthurGlen Group
Clark Massad
Vice President & Global Partnerships IGLTA
Goran Miletić
Senior Advisor to the Executive Director at Civil Rights Defenders and Founder and CEO at Balkans Forward Foundation
Joel Diaz
Membership Manager – Europe for IGLTA
Maria Teresa Cantù
Head of Membership Marketing & ESG, Marketing Dept. at BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe
Diego Rumazza
Global Director of Sales at Starhotels
Jóhannes Þór Skúlason
CEO of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association (SAF)
Giuseppe Giulio
Head of International Business Relations for JN Global Project/Gay Games 2026 Valencia and LGBTQ+ Segment Consultant for the Spanish Tourism Board in the United States
Aalap Shah
Queervadis Consultant & International Business Relations
Blanca Pérez-Sauquillo López
Director of the Spanish Tourism Board in Milan
Valeria Ghezzi
Vice President of Federturismo Confindustria
Greta Barbone
Human Rights Manager at Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026
Kyriaki Boulasidou
Director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in Italy
Artur Lengyel
Founder of Q Travel Malta & President of the Malta LGBTIQ+ Sports Association
Giovanna Ceccherini
Managing Director at Sonders&Beach
Thomas Segretain
Policy Officer- European Commission (Tourism Unit -DG GROW)
Erwin van der Graaf
Vice President Operations managed hotels Western Europe, premium, midscale, economy brands at Accor
Valentine Camusot
General Manager Europe at Rail Europe
Frederick Boutry
Enrica Tomei
Vice Chair of the Board of ELTA
Luca Romozzi
Sr Director, Destinations EMEA & APAC at Sojern
Eva Maria Lange
CEO and Founder of Pink Iceland
Peter Jordan
Founder of Gen C Traveller
Daniele Rutigliano
Tourism Manager at McArthurglen Group
Zsolt Jordi Erdei
Founder & President Humen Association / Pink Budapest LGBTQ+ Tourism project
Damiano Meola
Marketing Director at The Data Appeal Company
Marko Mihailović
Director of Pride Society, PR consultant
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