In a significant stride towards bolstering LGBTQ+ inclusive travel, the West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board, operating under Visit West Hollywood, has solidified its position as a Global Partner of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA). This collaboration is a reflection of their shared dedication to fostering diverse and welcoming travel experiences for the LGBTQ+ community.
IGLTA President/CEO, John Tanzella, lauded West Hollywood’s unwavering support for the association’s mission, noting that their partnership is set to bridge the gap between LGBTQ+ travelers and exceptional travel opportunities. Tom Kiely, President/CEO of West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board, emphasized that this partnership underscores the city’s core values of inclusivity and acceptance, with the aim of positioning West Hollywood as a sanctuary for self-expression and self-discovery on the global travel map.
- Advertisement -
The West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board’s alignment with IGLTA is far from new. The board’s history of championing LGBTQ+ rights spans over three decades, during which it played host to IGLTA’s 1993 Global Convention and sponsored the 2015 Global Convention in Los Angeles. This dedication culminated earlier this year when West Hollywood took a pivotal role in the IGLTA Foundation’s inaugural LGBTQ+ travel symposium in New Delhi. Here, discussions centered on the burgeoning potential of LGBTQ+ tourism between India and the world.
Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to inclusivity, West Hollywood revamped its iconic rainbow crosswalk in the “Rainbow District” in 2022. This rejuvenated installation not only symbolizes LGBTQ+ people of color but also the transgender community. Positioned at the intersection of Santa Monica and N. San Vicente Boulevards, the crosswalk exemplifies the city’s persistent advocacy for equality and inclusivity, a legacy stretching back to the 1970s.
Founded as a non-profit organization, the West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board orchestrates the promotion of the city as a premier visitor destination. Since the establishment of the West Hollywood Business Improvement Area and the Hotel Marketing Benefit Zone by the West Hollywood City Council in 1989, the city’s endeavor to foster tourism has grown. The subsequent creation of the West Hollywood Tourism Business Improvement District in 2014 aimed to balance the scales in tourism marketing. With 20 hotels sprawled across just 1.9 square miles, West Hollywood now boasts an annual visitor economic impact surpassing $1.83 billion USD, signifying its resounding success as a sought-after travel destination.
