Don’t miss ITB’s dazzling Diversity Gala 2023 at the Ritz Carlton
Tickets are now available for this year’s new diversity gala dinner celebrating inclusion during ITB Berlin 2023. The event is open to all visitors, exhibitors, tourism professionals and friends of the event
ITB attendees are invited to a dazzling diversity gala next month which promises to be a night to remember. The event will take place on Thursday March 9 at the Ritz Carlton, in Potsdamer Platz Berlin.
Those planning to attend the event, from 7pm to 11pm, are encouraged to book here to guarantee their place, with limited seats available.
The night is set to take off with a bang at the glamorous welcome reception before attendees take their seals for the diversity gala and evening entertainment. A silent auction fundraiser will fully support the IGLTA Foundation. While the ITB LGBTQ+ Tourism Award 2023 will also be presented during the event.
Dining includes a seated three-course menu with wine, beer, water and soft drinks. While the dress code is fancy dinner attire.
The diversity gala dinner is being held in support of the IGLTA Foundation which empowers the LGBTQ+ community, welcoming global travel businesses through education, research and leadership. Founded in 2012, the charity supports projects for industry organisations and communities to advance LGBTQ+ travel around the world.
Diversity within ITB
Since the late 90’s, LGBTQ+ Tourism was already present at ITB Berlin but scattered, not united. As ITB continued to grow, as well as its commitment to CSR including diversity and equity, the LGBTQ+ Travel segment was born in 2010, as an official and equal segment of ITB Berlin.
Characterised by openness, creativity and vibrant interaction, this segment is one of the most diverse areas of the trade show. Over the years, it has become the biggest LGBTQ+ Tourism presence in any global tourism trade show.
Key Events
Each year, ITB Berlin, in cooperation with its partner agency Diversity Tourism GmbH, is hosting the well-established LGBTQ+ Tourism Pavilion with its exhibitor booths, café and various events, receptions and networking opportunities.
A LGBTQ+ Tourism Educational HUB at the hall-stage with presentations, panel discussions and expert interviews will also be part of the offer, making the segment area one of the most attractive and important meeting points of the global LGBTQ+ tourism community.
LGBTQ+ Tourism also always holds slots at the ITB Berlin Convention where current topics of the segments are discussed by international experts. ITB will also present its prestigious LGBTQ+ Pioneer Award.
In addition to Thursday’s Diversity Gala, the renowned LGBTQ+ Media Brunch will be taking place on Tuesday March 7th at the Pavilion, which is home to all accredited media interested in LGBTQ+ Tourism. Media professionals will be able to get together in an informal atmosphere with representatives of destinations and other tourism providers.
Further events include the LGBTQ+ Business Summit, also at the Pavilion, on Thursday March 9th, plus the Diversity Gala on Thursday evening.
Supporting the IGLTA Foundation
The IGLTA Foundation subsidises association memberships for small LGBTQ+ welcoming tourism businesses in emerging destinations, such as places that lack governmental support or LGBTQ+ infrastructure. IGLTA has been closely working with ITB Berlin for many years, and ITB Berlin’s Rika Jean-François, Commissioner for CSR at ITB and responsible for the LGBTQ+ Segment, has been a long-standing board member of IGLTA and has also served on board of the IGLTA Foundation.
Since the programme was launched in October 2013, it has added members in Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad, and Jamaica. The charity is also expanding its support, with plans to set up various task forces to develop and implement its vision.
The Foundation educates governments and tourism industry leaders on the importance of making LGBTQ+ travellers feel safe and welcome. It also provides resources for IGLTA to engage with other non-governmental organisations as well as governments and tourism boards to speak on the positive economic and cultural impact of LGBTQ+ tourism.
One major destination recognised by the charity for its potential to grow is India. More awareness among both India’s inbound and outbound tourism networks could benefit LGBTQ+ travellers and LGBTQ+ welcoming businesses. ITB’s Diversity Gala will help towards supporting these efforts.
