TUI Futureshapers Global: LGBT+ Travel Innovators launches its additional international cohort supporting inclusive tourism entrepreneurs.
The TUI Care Foundation and the IGLTA Foundation have launched an additional cohort of the TUI Futureshapers Global: LGBT+ Travel Innovators programme, continuing their joint commitment to supporting LGBT+ entrepreneurs in tourism from emerging and underserved destinations worldwide.
The extensive programme combines business training, one-to-one mentoring and access to global tourism networks to help LGBT+ tourism businesses strengthen their operations, expand their visibility and create more inclusive travel experiences. Through workshops, networking opportunities and expert-led training sessions, participants gain practical skills in areas such as business development, leadership, branding, finance and strategic partnerships.
The launch of the second cohort follows the successful completion of the programme’s first edition, which supported 26 entrepreneurs from more than 20 countries across five continents. Participants represented a broad range of tourism businesses, including tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, retreat centres and event organisers. All participants were matched with expert mentors from across the TUI ecosystem and tourism industry in general and joined the global IGLTA network of more than 14,500 LGBT+-welcoming tourism businesses.
Findings from the newly released impact report of the first cohort demonstrate the programme’s significant contribution to strengthening LGBT+ entrepreneurship in tourism. The report underlined the importance of creating supportive international networks for entrepreneurs operating in destinations where LGBT+ businesses continue to face social, legal and economic barriers. The impact report includes case studies from entrepreneurs who have used tourism to create safer, more representative and community-led travel experiences:
In Brazil, participant Baltazar de Almeida strengthened his Afro-queer tourism initiative TTour, helping preserve LGBT+ cultural heritage and increase visibility for Black and LGBT+ histories in tourism. In Kenya, entrepreneur Njeri Gachuhi expanded inclusive travel experiences for queer women across East Africa through partnerships with local tourism suppliers. In Curaçao, Janice Tjon Sien Kie further developed Outcaribbean, a travel media platform connecting LGBT+ travellers with welcoming businesses and authentic Caribbean experiences.
Baltazar de Almeida, founder of TTour in Brazil and participant of the first cohort, said: “Growing up in a favela in Angra dos Reis, tourism never felt like something that belonged to people like me. Through this programme, I was able to strengthen our vision for queer Afro-tourism in Brazil, connect with global partners and show that LGBT+ cultural heritage deserves visibility and recognition within tourism.”
Janice Tjon Sien Kie, founder of Outcaribbean in Curaçao and participant of the first cohort, added: “Being part of the programme helped me realise that our identities and stories are not limitations, but strengths. The mentoring, networking and international exposure gave me the confidence to further develop Outcaribbean and create more visible and welcoming travel experiences across the Caribbean.”
The programme has also received international recognition within the tourism and inclusion sectors. Earlier this year, TUI Futureshapers Global: LGBT+ Travel Innovators was shortlisted for the Global LGBT+ Initiative of the Year at the Rainbow Honours, recognising its contribution to advancing inclusion and opportunity in tourism worldwide.
This project is part of the global TUI Futureshapers Programme, which empowers passionate people in tourism destinations who are committed to turning social and environmental challenges into entrepreneurial opportunities. The programme is active in destinations around the world, including Cape Verde, Jamaica, Morocco, Namibia, Greece, Tunisia, Egypt, Albania, Portugal, Sweden, UK, Colombia, Zanzibar, Dominican Republic and Laos.
