The African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA®) has announced a landmark two-year organisational partnership with the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), marking a significant step towards building stronger ties between African tourism stakeholders and the global LGBTQ+ travel community.
The strategic agreement, unveiled in Cape Town on 11 April 2025, will see ATTA® and IGLTA exchange official membership status and collaborate across key marketing and promotional platforms. The partnership aims to increase the visibility of African destinations within LGBTQ+ travel markets and promote inclusive tourism practices across the continent.
ATTA® CEO Kgomotso Ramothea welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a pivotal moment for African tourism.
“We are thrilled to establish this formal collaboration with IGLTA, which marks an important step in making African destinations more visible and accessible to LGBTQ+ travellers worldwide,” she said.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to inclusive tourism that celebrates diversity across our continent – and creates meaningful connections between international visitors and African communities.”
IGLTA President and CEO John Tanzella echoed the sentiment, highlighting the continued growth of LGBTQ+ travel to Africa since the association hosted its first global convention on the continent in Cape Town in 2016.
“We look forward to collaborating with ATTA® to support safe and inclusive tourism and strengthening connections among our members,” Tanzella said.
“This is another important step on our journey to raise awareness of Africa as a welcoming and exciting destination for LGBTQ+ travellers.”
The partnership will be jointly driven by Ramothea and Martina Barth, IGLTA’s Membership Manager for Africa and Group Sales Manager for The Liz McGrath Collection. Together, they will oversee implementation, ensuring both organisations maximise the impact of the agreement across their networks.
With LGBTQ+ travel continuing to expand globally, Africa is being increasingly recognised for its potential to offer authentic and inclusive travel experiences. This new alliance is expected to drive awareness, foster collaboration, and inspire greater confidence among LGBTQ+ travellers exploring Africa’s diverse destinations.
