--- title: "After Orlando, LGBT Travelers Remain Undeterred, Group Says" id: "33949" type: "post" slug: "after-orlando-lgbt-travelers-remain-undeterred-group-says" published_at: "2016-06-28T22:05:52+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T16:53:09+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/06/28/after-orlando-lgbt-travelers-remain-undeterred-group-says/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/06/28/after-orlando-lgbt-travelers-remain-undeterred-group-says.md" excerpt: "Despite the recent terror attack in Orlando, the head of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association notes that LGBT consumers are unlikely to avoid travel—it just isn't their style." taxonomy_category: - "Conscious Inclusion" taxonomy_post_tag: - "age inclusion" - "AssociationsNow" - "bus travel" - "Business" - "LGBTQ" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » After Orlando, LGBT Travelers Remain Undeterred, Group Says ## Despite the recent terror attack in Orlando, the head of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association notes that LGBT consumers are unlikely to avoid travel—it just isn’t their style. This month’s [terror attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando](http://associationsnow.com/2016/06/nightclub-groups-rethink-security-strategies-orlando-shootings/) clearly raised significant questions for the LGBT community, including about safe places to travel. But John Tanzella, president and CEO of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, says that while the community has been “shaken up,” it is likely to show its strength by continuing to travel—including to Orlando. “From the LGBT perspective, it will not deter us from going to Orlando,” Tanzella [told CBS MoneyWatch earlier this month (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/orlando-gay-nightclub-massacre-lgbt-tourism-the-shows-going-to-go-on/) . “If anything, it will likely drive more travel to Orlando, as it’s typical in our community to want to show support.” [In comments to The New York Times (opens in a new tab)](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/26/travel/lgbt-gay-travel.html?_r=1) , Tanzella noted that crowds at Pride events and at vigils in honor of those killed remained strong. “I don’t foresee this situation impacting travel in the LGBT community negatively,” [he told Travel Weekly (opens in a new tab)](http://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/LGBT-tourism-community-shaken-but-not-shattered) . “If anything, I think the community would more proactively show that we’re not going to be fearful to travel.” The LGBT market’s consumer tourism spending tops $200 billion each year, [according to the research firm Out Now Global (opens in a new tab)](http://www.outnowconsulting.com/latest-updates/press-centre/first-ever-industry-wide-global-lgbt-travel-survey-launched-by-wtm-and-out-now.aspx) . People pay tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting during the annual Pride London Parade. (Neil Hall/Reuters) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#age inclusion](https://associationsnow.com/tag/age-inclusion/) [#bus travel](https://associationsnow.com/tag/bus-travel/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#LGBTQ](https://associationsnow.com/tag/lgbtq/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastFostering Inclusion and Growth: Mentorship, Networking, and Workforce Development in AssociationsOctober 24, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/10/24/fostering-inclusion-and-growth-mentorship-networking-and-workforce-development-in-associations/) - [VideoCelebrating Black History Month: Hanif Smith Shares His StoryFebruary 1, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/02/01/celebrating-black-history-month-hanif-smith-shares-his-story/) - [VideoUsing DEI to Create Welcoming EnvironmentsAugust 29, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/08/29/using-dei-to-create-welcoming-environments/) - [VideoASAE DELP Reunion 2025 & Introduction of New ClassAugust 18, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/18/asae-delp-reunion-2025-introduction-of-new-class-2/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F06%2F28%2Fafter-orlando-lgbt-travelers-remain-undeterred-group-says%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !