On Location IGLTA Annual Convention: An Australian In Belgium

Reece Farmilo of Out And About Travel

With travel people converging on Antwerp from all over the world, the city festooned with rainbow flags under a warm European summer sun, the IGLTA annual convention was off to a flying start.  A Welcome Reception for first-time attendees filled the room with enthusiastic new faces, while the VIP Reception took place in the beautiful Renaissance rooms of the Antwerp City Hall.  Between the two was a meeting to discuss administration details.

Antwerp local officials welcome convention delegates

Among the delegates and representatives of various travel organisations attending the IGLTA convention in Antwerp are many small-business owners whose livelihoods depend on a high level of service and familiarity with the LGBT market.  One such person is Reece Farmilo, owner of Out And About Travel, Sydney's only travel agency dedicated to the specific needs of gay and lesbian travellers.  Happily for Reece, business is booming.  This story is being repeated round the world as one tourism office after another acknowledges the immense value in the gay and lesbian travel market.  IGLTA is able to bring together a wealth of experience and knowledge for its members.

Why is it important for a Sydney travel agency owner to attend an event on the other side of the world?  The chance to meet face to face with wholesalers and tour operators based in other countries," says Reece.  There's nothing better than face to face contact to strengthen a successful working relationship; he also emphasises that there is much learned about trends and new ideas coming forward for tapping into the LGBT travel market.

VIP Reception in Antwerp City Hall

Reece, ever the proactive entrepreneur, is also the founder of the Gay and Lesbian Travel Expo, Sydney's travel fair for businesses and tourism offices looking to increase brand awareness and bookings in the LGBT market.  This year's inaugural event was a resounding success and plans for next year promise an even more comprehensive event.

Antwerp serves as an excellent base for exploring more of Belgium, whosee lovely cities are monuments to its wealthy past.  With Belgium being such a small country, it's easy to travel from one city to another, especially when endowed with a Eurail Pass, the magic ticket to seeing the sights in Europe.  Antwerp is only a forty-minute train ride from Brussels, the country's capital, where French and Flemish continue to engage in a cultural dom/sub wrestling match, a reflection of Belgium's bigger picture.  Further north, perennial gaystination Holland is just across the border from Antwerp.  Close to Antwerp are the picturesque cities of Ghent and Bruges, well worth visits while in this part of Europe.