Celebrating the return of Africa’s Travel Indaba, which was held from May 2–5 in Durban, South African Tourism and the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) hosted a meetup of the travel industry’s LGBTQ+ tourism family. The networking session included hosted buyers, media and suppliers all dedicated to amplifying South Africa’s invitation to LGBTQ+ travelers from across the globe to “Meet South Africa” and explore the Rainbow Nation.
Vivian Perez, chief travel architect of Ladies Touch Events & Travel based between Los Angeles and Puerto Vallarta, said: “On my first visit to South Africa, I have been impressed by the welcoming spirit of both the tourism industry and the South African people. There are so many incredible experiences perfect for my clients and I am already planning a group trip for later this year.”
South Africa is the first country in the world to include a sexual orientation protection clause in its Constitution to ensure the rights of all people and the fifth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
Jerry Mpufane, president of South African Tourism for North America, said, “We look forward to continuing our work with IGLTA to make sure that when LGBTQ+ travelers think of travel to the African continent, that they think of South Africa. We will continue flying our rainbow flag proudly as we show the many rich, authentic experiences that our beautiful country has to offer.”
South Africa offers a range of opportunities for LGBTQ+ travelers. The destination offers value for money in terms of service and experience. Martina Barth, IGLTA membership manager for South Africa, said, “The enthusiasm for South Africa from LGBTQ+ buyers and media is most encouraging. Our South African IGLTA member properties, tour operators and organizations are ready and willing to assist with planning truly unforgettable itineraries for their clients.”
The country has established LGBTQ+ communities and scenes in Cape Town and Johannesburg, besides smaller communities in Pretoria and Durban.
For more information, visit www.southafrica.net/in/en.
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