Osaka is the first city in Asia to host the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGLTA) annual global conference, cementing Japan as a dream destination for a diverse range of travelers.
About 600 influencers, travel agents, tourism officials, hoteliers, and other industry figures from around the world took in the sights and sounds of Osaka during October.
At the conference, they were able to visit booths representing around 100 companies and organizations that are keen to tap into the LGBTQ market.
The IGLTA boasts 2,400 members in 80 countries. Attendance at this year’s event was a record for an event held outside the United States.
New Jersey-based influencers Chris and Alex took the conference as an opportunity to enjoy their first trip to Japan.
“It’s been a bucket list dream trip for us always,” said Chris. “So it gave us more of a reason to come and finally be here. “
The event is a major platform for exchanging information on the LGBTQ market. Influencers Michael and Matt run a travel agency for gay couples out of Portland, Oregon. They gather information about places to visit that are fun, safe and welcoming.
Matt said the questions they are most often asked about different destinations, especially places that don’t recognize same sex couples, is “how does it affect the community there, or how is the LGBTQ community treated there?”
Tourism is big business
Japan is currently enjoying a record tourism boom. Foreign travelers spent about $38 billion during the first nine months of 2024. LGBTQ travelers are said to spend, on average, more than other tourists, so tapping into the demographic could be worthwhile.
That’s why it’s created promotional material specifically aimed at LGBTQ tourists, championing Osaka’s history, nature, and food. It’s also ramping up ahead of the Osaka World Expo in 2025.
“We’ve been lobbying for four years, and we made it. “said Hiroshi Mizohata, President of the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau. “It’s just a milestone, but it’s a very emotional feeling to have achieved one of our goals.”
“It really comes down to the support we have from the tourism office here,” IGLTA CEO John Tanzella explained about choosing Osaka for the 41st annual conference. “We do conferences all over the world, but this one is really special and the welcome we have had here in Japan has been overwhelming.”
Exploring Japan’s hidden history
Conference delegates also enjoyed a chance to explore beyond Osaka. A “familiarization trip” brought a group of travel executives, magazine editors and influencers to nearby Nara Prefecture.
The area is home to an ancient Japanese capital which was once ruled by a woman―Empress Saimei. It was an interesting bit of history for Los Angeles-based LGBTQ lifestyle influencers Kirstie and Christine.
Influencers like them are key to attracting LGBTQ business through social media and word-of-mouth. Kirstie says they’ve seen lots of places catering to gay visitors, but not as many aimed at lesbian travelers. She learns about a woman who once ruled Nara―an inspiring and empowering piece of Japan’s history.
“It’s amazing to hear stories about female leaders in history,” she said. “Our platform focuses on women’s empowerment, so learning about Japan’s Empresses is truly inspiring.”
Kirstie described the trip to Japan as a learning opportunity. “Every day we learn something new about our community, so it’s about keeping an open mind and heart.”
Toyooka Shiro, who planned the tour, said he also learned from the experience. He expected the locals in Nara to build an understanding with the LGBTQ community the more they interacted.
Japan lags behind other countries when it comes to LGBTQ acceptance, including the legalization of same-sex marriage. But according to the IGLTA’s CEO, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a safe, friendly destination.
“It’s more about the destination,” said Tanzella. “We’re welcomed, and even if there’s no gay marriage, Japan’s fascinating culture, rich history, and culinary scene attract LGBTQ travelers.”
