OSAKA, Japan (28 August 2024) — The IGLTA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is proud to announce Ricky Au (he/him) as a 2024 Global Fellowship recipient. This fellowship is part of a collaborative effort with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and is open to members of PATA’s young professionals network.
Ricky Au is from Zhongshan, China and is currently a student at Macao University of Tourism. As part of the fellowship program, Au will attend the 2024 IGLTA Global Convention in Osaka, Japan where he will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, expand his professional network, and contribute to the advancement of LGBTQ+ tourism. For more information about the IGLTA Global Convention, please visit IGLTAConvention.org.
“We are proud to support Ricky through the IGLTA Foundation's Global Fellowship program, thanks in part to the generous support from PATA,” said John Tanzella (he/him), IGLTA President & CEO. “Education is a core pillar of our Foundation, and it’s through programs like this that we empower the next generation of leaders in the LGBTQ+ travel community.”
“PATA supports this IGLTA initiative which aims to foster camaraderie within young tourism students and professionals, including from the Asia Pacific region. We are delighted to support this program because it will develop future leaders that the industry needs — especially those who can stand tall and be respected by everyone,” said Mr. Noor Ahmad Hamid (he/him), PATA CEO. “PATA congratulates this year’s fellowship recipients for their amazing efforts and trailblazing the tourism economy with passion and commitment."
The IGLTA Foundation’s Global Fellowship program is dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ individuals achieve their professional goals and contribute to the growth of the travel and tourism industry. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than 50 fellowships to entrepreneurs and students in 24 countries, providing mentorship and industry experience to empower the next generation of LGBTQ+ tourism leaders worldwide.
About IGLTA & the IGLTA Foundation
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is the global leader in advancing LGBTQ+ travel and a proud Affiliate Member of UN Tourism (formerly known as the United Nations World Tourism Organization). IGLTA’s mission is to enable authentic travel that enriches lives and connects the LGBTQ+ community and tourism industry. IGLTA's global network includes 13,000+ LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events, and travel media in 80 countries. The philanthropic IGLTA Foundation empowers LGBTQ+ welcoming travel businesses globally through leadership, research, and education. For more information: iglta.org, igltaconvention.org or iglta.org/foundation and follow us on Facebook at @IGLTA, @IGLTABusiness and @IGLTAFoundation, X and LinkedIn at @IGLTA and @IGLTAFoundation, and Instagram @IGLTA.