The
International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA)
President/CEO John Tanzella and IGLTA Foundation Board Chair Charlie
Rounds participated in a February 20 roundtable discussion at the
U.S. Department of State headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The
event, "Engaging U.S. Citizen LGBT Travelers,” highlighted how
the Bureau of Consular Affairs provides assistance, resources and
information to U.S. citizens who are traveling abroad, through U.S.
embassies, consulates and online.
All
Americans traveling abroad are viewed as the State Department’s
responsibility, but research has shown that the LGBT community
travels at a higher frequency and often to destinations that have
anti-gay laws on the books. The Bureau of Consular Affairs saw the
need to proactively provide destination information for LGBT
travelers.
Panelists
included representatives from the Office of Overseas Citizens
Services, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor, and the
White House. Reporters from LGBT and mainstream media outlets also
attended.
“IGLTA
was a natural partner for the roundtable event because of its
reputation and long-standing history as one of the travel industry’s
leading experts and supporters of LGBT travel, “ said event
organizer Esperanza M. Tilghman with the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
“Through our collaboration with Mr. Rounds, Mr. Tanzella, and Mr.
Bob Witeck (of Witeck Communications), our office was able to connect
to representatives from the leading travel agencies, mega-hotel
chains, and media professionals. We hope to continue our relationship
with IGLTA as the Bureau of Consular Affairs continues its mission of
keeping U.S. citizen travelers well-informed, and connected to the
latest and most accurate travel information.”
U.S.
citizens traveling or living abroad are encouraged to visit
www.travel.state.gov, which now includes an information page
specifically designed for LGBT travelers, and use the Smart Traveler
Enrollment Program at www.travel.state.gov/step to receive the latest
travel updates.
“I
was honored to be a speaker at this event and very proud to have
IGLTA as a featured participant,” said Tanzella. “Our global
member-based organization works in tandem with many governmental and
non-governmental organizations, and adding the U.S. State Department
as an ally is a huge step in our efforts to make the world a more
welcoming place for LGBT travelers.”
