British Airways Accessing The Gay Travel Market

June 04, 2009

British Airways has partnered up with the American based, International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).

British Airways, now a Gold Global Partner of the IGLTA, has gained access to mini goldmine of the association’s tourism 1500 affiliates and members.  This includes accommodation, airlines, car rental companies, cruise lines, local tourist offices, regional and national tourist boards, travel agencies, travel media, tour operators and other businesses on all five continents.



Recent US and UK research figures compiled by Community Marketing Inc. and QSoft has shown that your average gay consumer not only travels more, but also, while on holiday spends that much more, once again showing the strength of the pink pound and dollar. This can be seen in the GBP80 billion annual spending by the gay and lesbian market.          
                 
BA has recognised this valuable possibility as something not to miss out on, and is wooing customers through the IGLTA into spending with them.  Richard Tams, British Airways head of UK & Ireland sales said: “There has always been a strong affiliation with the gay community in the travel industry and this is a great opportunity to develop this relationship further."

The IGLTA has in return praised British Airways for what it calls BA’s “long tradition of hospitality to gay and lesbian travelers”, stressing that the partnership is a “further sign in the airlines commitment to the LGBT market”.

Visit www.ba.com and www.iglta.com as further details are expected at a later stage, on what seems to be a promising partnership, benefiting LGBT travelers.