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The IGLTA Foundation’s Gender Diverse Travel Advisory Group (GTAG) has published the Trans & Gender Diverse Travel Guide: A Roadmap for Safe and Enjoyable Travel, in collaboration with IGLTA and with support from Away and the Arcus Foundation. The guide debuted at the 2025 IGLTA Global Convention in Palm Springs, the association’s premier educational and networking event.

Trans and gender-diverse travelers have always been part of the global travel community, yet they continue to face distinct safety challenges and barriers. As visibility increases, this guide provides essential tools to help travelers plan and explore the world with more confidence and peace of mind.

Practical tips from the guide include:

Research local laws, customs, and safety considerations

Ensure identification aligns with your gender identity on travel documents and visas

Travel with hormones, prosthetics, and other medical necessities

Navigate border crossings by air, sea, and land

“Travel is a form of freedom, and for trans and gender diverse travelers, it’s also an act of visibility and courage. This guide supports those journeys, but the work doesn’t end here. More tools, policies, education and industry-wide support are needed so that, one day, every traveler can move through the world safely as their most authentic self without fear and trepidation,” Gabrielle Claiborne (she/her), GTAG Chair & CEO of Transformation Journeys Worldwide.

Download The Guide Here

About IGLTA and the IGLTA Foundation

Seville, Spain

The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) has launched the Proud Destination Program, a new global initiative that spotlights destinations that are actively demonstrating a commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, not just as a seasonal campaign, but as a long-term commitment.

“At a time when some travel brands are stepping back from LGBTQ+ visibility, it’s even more important to recognize those who are stepping up,” said Renato Gagliardi (he/him), IGLTA Vice President - Global Membership. “Being an IGLTA Proud Destination sends a clear message that inclusion matters and LGBTQ+ travelers are.”

“Spain has long been a beacon for LGBTQ+ travelers, offering a rich tapestry of culture, history, and inclusivity,” said Félix Alcaraz (he/him), Consul for Tourism Affairs at the Tourist Office of Spain in Los Angeles. “With 90 % of LGBTQ+ travelers from the U.S. expressing strong interest in visiting Spain in the coming years, it’s our duty and privilege to ensure that Spain is—and remains—a fully welcoming and inclusive destination. Being the first IGLTA Proud Destination reinforces this commitment.”

Participating destinations gain access to specialized guidance from IGLTA, increased global exposure through strategic storytelling, and opportunities to collaborate on education and training to support local businesses in delivering truly inclusive experiences.

By Joey Amato, Guest Contributor Almost everyone has been to Atlanta at some point or another. Whether for a conference or just passing through the Hartsfield-Jackson airport, the busiest airport in the world, Atlanta sees more than 100 million visitors per year. As the largest city in Georgia and one of the largest in the country by population, Atlanta has exploded to become an economic powerhouse. Skyscrapers are popping up throughout the city and many Fortune 500 companies have a presence in the region. Of course, the city is known for their hometown favorites: Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines and Turner Broadcasting System, which was founded by none other than Ted Turner, who’s name is everywhere in Atlanta. Turner has a downtown street named after him as well as three namesake restaurants – Ted’s Montana Grill – just in the Atlanta city limits.

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[NOTE: An Atlanta CityPASS allows visitors to see many of the city’s top attractions, handpicked and packaged together at a significant savings.]

Not too far from the downtown restaurant is Centennial Olympic Park, home of the 1996 summer Olympics. The park is adjacent to three other incredible attractions: the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and National Center for Civil & Human Rights. On this visit, I decided to first swing by World of Coca-Cola, which gives visitors a wonderful overview of the history of the brand, talks about the secret formula and of course offers the opportunity to sample Coca-Cola products from around the world. If you time your visit right, you may even get a chance to take a picture with their mascot, the Polar Bear.

Next, I stopped by the National Center for Civil & Human Rights, a museum I had visited in the past. This time I was given a tour by the Executive Director for the LGBTQ Institute at the museum. Although the Center doesn’t have a specific LGBTQ exhibition, it does talk about the fight for LGBTQ rights throughout the years. The Center also houses the largest collection of papers and artifacts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and has recently expanded their offerings to include a human rights training program for law enforcement officials as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) experiences for workplaces. One of my favorite things about Atlanta is MARTA, their public transportation system. It is one of the most efficient and inexpensive in the country, easily connecting travelers from the airport to all parts of the city including Buckhead, where I was staying for this visit. While the Buckhead neighborhood isn’t known for its LGBTQ nightlife, it is however known for its abundance of luxury shopping. Lenox Square is one of the most upscale malls in the country and boasts retail boutiques including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. Don’t forget to bring your credit card! The reason I chose to stay in Buckhead is because I wanted to check out the brand new Kimpton Sylvan Hotel. The mid-century modern property is a short ride, or 20-minute walk to the MARTA station and features a rooftop bar, daily social hour with complimentary wine as well as a 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes for those looking to work off some calories. Speaking of food, I would highly recommend the Charred Cauliflower + Cucumber from Willow Bar located just outside the hotel lobby. The Kimpton brand is known for being one of the most LGBTQ-inclusive hotel brands in the country so whenever I have the chance to stay at one of their properties, I usually do. They are also a global partner of IGLTA.

This September, Atlanta will host the IGLTA Global Convention. The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association will welcome guests from around the globe to midtown Atlanta for possibly the first in-person LGBTQ convention since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration is now open through the IGLTA website. I’ve been to this convention numerous times and can’t wait to see all my friends and colleagues in the same room once again

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[NOTE: Atlanta is planning to hold an in-person Pride celebration in October.  Exact details are not yet available.  Visitor atlantapride.org for updates.]

Midtown Atlanta is the epicenter of LGBTQ culture and nightlife in Atlanta. There is no lack of bars and restaurants here. Some standouts include Joe’s on Juniper, Blake’s on the Park, and My Sister’s Room, a two-story lesbian-owned dance bar which has become a favorite among Atlanta’s LGBTQ community.