Registrations are now open for a new tourism industry platform focused on LGBTQ+ travel growth, market readiness and destination competitiveness.
Afrigay Travel International has launched the inaugural Afrigay LGBTQ+ Tourism Growth Symposium 2027, taking place in Cape Town on 12 January 2027.
Created as a focused tourism industry event, the symposium is designed to help South Africa better understand, serve and grow the LGBTQ+ travel market. The first edition will take place under the theme “From Welcome to Readiness”, with the broader positioning: South Africa, Africa and the Future of Inclusive Travel.
The symposium will be hosted at Mama Shelter Cape Town, with an evening networking cocktail reception hosted at The Rockefeller Hotel by Newmark. The three Cape Town-based ONOMO Hotels will sponsor the afternoon Learning Lab, a practical and interactive session designed for honest, open conversation, exploration and hands-on engagement around LGBTQ+ tourism readiness.
An optional Glitter Trail Peninsula Experience will take place on 13 January 2027, giving delegates a live example of how LGBTQ+ tourism can be packaged with personality, storytelling, hospitality and commercial appeal.
The event is aimed at tourism businesses, accommodation providers, tour operators, attractions, tourist guides, destination bodies, SMMEs, LGBTQ+-owned businesses, travel trade partners, associations and public-sector tourism stakeholders.
“This is not a Pride event or a general diversity discussion,” says Michael Gladwin, founder of Afrigay Travel International and All Stay LGBTQ+ Education. “It is a tourism growth platform. South Africa already has strong appeal as a destination, but welcome is only the starting point. The real opportunity is to help the industry become more confident, more prepared and more intentional in how it serves LGBTQ+ travellers.”
The programme will include industry insight, panel discussions, practical conversation and the Learning Lab, where delegates will explore real tourism scenarios, guest experiences and practical steps towards stronger LGBTQ+ market readiness.
The symposium also aims to support wider participation in the LGBTQ+ tourism conversation, including SMMEs, emerging tourism businesses, guides and regional tourism stakeholders.
“Cape Town is the natural host city for the first edition,” says Gladwin. “But the opportunity is much bigger than one city. South Africa has the potential to become the leading LGBTQ+ travel gateway to Africa, and this symposium is intended to help start that work in a practical, industry-focused way.”
Registrations are now open at symposium.afrigay.com.
Event details
Event: Afrigay LGBTQ+ Tourism Growth Symposium 2027
Theme: From Welcome to Readiness
Date: 12 January 2027
Venue: Mama Shelter Cape Town
Evening Cocktail Reception: The Rockefeller Hotel by Newmark
Optional Day 2: The Glitter Trail Peninsula Experience, 13 January 2027
Website: symposium.afrigay.com