ITB Berlin to Host LGBT Academy in Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan

For the first time in Japan, ITB Berlin will host a LGBT Academy with two workshops on lesbian and gay travel.

On 23 August participants will attend a half-day event in Tokyo, then a day later visitors can find out more about the globally expanding LGBT market in Kyoto.

Partners of the workshops include Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hotel Granvia Kyoto, the Japanese publisher Ohta Publications, All Nippon Airways, Out Japan, Out Asia Travel and The Capitol Hotel Tokyu.

Other sponsors include the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), the Japan Hotel Association Kyoto Branch and IGLTA, a global travel network dedicated to connecting and educating LGBT travelers.

ITB Berlin’s CSR officer Rika Jean-Francois will welcome the guests and Thomas Bömkes will introduce the LGBT segment of ITB Berlin. As general manager of Diversity Tourism in Munich, Thomas also advises the trade show on LGBT matters. He will be followed by Tom Roth, president of Community Marketing in San Francisco who, taking current market surveys, best practices and case studies into account, will show how companies and regions can actively attract LGBT tourism.

Other scheduled events include the presentation of the 2nd UNWTO Global Report on LGBT Tourism, and visitors will also gain an insight into the work of IGLTA Japan, into case studies by Hornet Media, who specializes in gay social networks, and Gay Travel Nepal. Q&A panel discussions will round off the events in Tokyo and Kyoto respectively.

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