IGLTA announces new board of directors

The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, which now has more than 2,000 members in 81 countries, introduced its newly elected board of directors in Antwerp, Belgium, during its largest global convention in Europe to date. More than 250 participants from 25 countries were on hand to greet the new board, which then met to select officers for the next year.

IGLTA's board determines the direction and long-term strategic goals for the travel association, which is the leading global organization in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) tourism industry. The association has more than doubled its membership in the past five years, a testament to the widespread interest in this burgeoning market segment.

For the first time since 1995, IGLTA has a lesbian at the helm: Tanya Churchmuch, the manager of international media relations for Tourisme Montréal and founder of the lesbian travel website Girlports, will serve as Board Chair.

Joining Churchmuch on the board are: Vice-Chair Theresa Belpulsi (Destination DC); Treasurer George Carrancho (American Airlines); Secretary Cordey Lash (Hilton Anatole Hotel, Dallas); Past Chair Bryan Herb (Zoom Vacations, Chicago); Mya Lake Reyes (Las Vegas CVA); Steve Smith (Key West Business Guild); and first-time board members Jeff Guaracino (Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation) and Darren Cooper (Out Now Consulting/Beige Magazine-UK).