NoFrills Gay Tourism Expo 2014 at Bergamo in Italy concluded

The 2014 edition for the NoFrills Gay Tourism Expo 2014 at Bergamo in Italy concluded.

Among the speakers were Alessandro Cecchi Paone, Paolo Colombo (sports journalist LA7 TV station), Olga Mazzoni (Chairman of Visit USA Italy).

The only region at the Gay Tourism Expo 2014 was Lazio represented by Charles Guarino, who explained how Visit Lazio markets to the LGBT traveller.

ECPAT, an association that fights the sexual exploitation of children through tourism was presented.

It was pointed out that nationally in Italy out of 20 million visitors at least 2 million are LGBT tourists.

The need to cater to this group was explained by Alessio Virgili, IGLTA ambassador, who this year was also named the Global Ambassador of Travel.

Virgili said from the first gay-friendly tour operator in Italy, Quiiky, until today LGBT tourism is an important part of the global travel and tourism industry and its business. It represents a unique opportunity for marketing .

“Getting awareness for the potential LGBT tourism brings to the industry and economy over all was a journey that was first active in Milan in the last two years.”,said Virgil. “We have presented winning projects invitations in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce in Milan and the Lombardy Region.”

On the occasion of the conference at No Frills, Bergamo, Virgili also presented the promotional video of Milan that MUS has produced for Quiiky. He pointed out the value of IGLTA, a worldwide association of companies dedicated to gay tourism, an associated member of the UNWTO and represented in 80 countries.

This speech was fully endorsed by Josep Ejarque, Director General Explora, the Destination Management Organization that is responsible for helping companies to best accommodate the different clusters of customers at the Universal Exhibition.

One focus program is to provide training for online travel agents and tour operators.