At the Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin, worldwide known as ITB in Berlin, the Spartacus International Gay Travel Guide presents its awards. Brussels in Belgium and Taiwan are pinpointed as key LGBTQIA+ destinations. 

Other winners were gay resort Island House in Key West, Florida, United States, holiday airline Condor and upscale cruise company Seabourn. 

The Spartacus Travel Awards were presented on 6 March as part of ITB, which always hosts a gay, queer, LGBTQ section. 

LGBTQ trend destination: Taiwan

In the Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2024, Taiwan is currently still at the top among the countries in Asia. And not without reason. 

In 2019, marriage was legalized for all in Taiwan following a Constitutional Court ruling in May 2017. Same-sex couples have been able to adopt children together since 2023. Discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics has been banned nationwide since 2004. 

In 2007, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace was also banned by law. Since Taiwan Pride took place for the first time in the capital Taipei in 2003, it has become the largest pride in the Far East with around 200,000 participants and attracts numerous international visitors. 

Taipei is the LGBTQIA+ hotspot of Taiwan and has other city features on offer. But Taiwan is also home to ‘untouched’ nature, white beaches, a fascinating (food) culture and unique events such as the Lantern Festival in Tainan.

Outside Taipei though, reality is more conservative. Also, Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is always under threat from its big brother the People’s Republic of China.

Best LGBTQ event destination: Brussels

“If you want to celebrate in Europe, you are in good hands in Belgium’s capital” Spartacus’ parent company Männer Media says.  

“People from over 180 nations make Brussels a melting pot of cultures, whose diversity is expressed in countless festivals and parties throughout the year. The La Demence party series is one of the oldest and best-known gay circuit parties on the European continent. Every year in May, the city opens the series of pride events on the continent with Brussels Pride, the first European capital on the calendar to do so. Events such as Belgium Bear Pride and the Pink Screens Film Festival also attract visitors.”

Visit Brussels

The award was presented to Frederick Boutry of visit.brussels. “The spotlight shone brightly on Boutry, who has been leading the LGBTQIA+ marketing efforts for the region for over a decade. His dedication and work in making Brussels a vibrant and inclusive destination were honored as he received the award on behalf of visit.brussels”, Ket.Brussels notes. 

“This accolade from the Spartacus Travel Awards highlights Brussels’ exceptional commitment to LGBTQ inclusivity and celebration. Under the guidance of visit.brussels and the dedicated efforts of individuals like Frederick Boutry, Brussels has created a welcoming space that celebrates diversity through an array of events that cater to the LGBTQ community”, Ket.Brussels says.

Brussels Pride

Last year, the Belgian Pride died, along with its organising committee The Belgian Pride (with article), which was disbanded. The organised civil society of queer Brussels is hopelessely divided on issues and modi operandi and is quite self-destructive. One casualty was The Belgian Pride. 

But Brussels, as a capital, cannot not have a pride event with parade. So visit.brussels, the tourism office of the Brussels-Capital Region (which differs from the City of Brussels), stepped in.

Visit.Brussels now organises the Brussels Pride, officially Brussels Pride – In the Capital of Europe. It turned to RainbowHouse Brussels for content and topics and to Brussels Rainbow Federation, part of Syndigay, the union of LGBTQIA+ businesses that runs the Rainbow Village.

LGBTQ+ Pavillion at ITB

ITB has closed for this year, but a look at their LGBTQ+ Pavillion programme shows it is quite interesting. Especially the panel discussion ‘Understanding Gen Z travellers and their preferences in LGBTQ+ Tourism‘ sounds insightful. Björn Bender, CEO and executive chairman of Rail Europe, was one of the speakers.

ITB is an industry fair so industry stakeholders take the stage. 

Since back in the late 90’s, LGBTQ+ tourism was already present at ITB Berlin but scattered, not united. The LGBTQ+ Tourism segment was established in 2010 as an official, equal segment of ITB Berlin, the website says. 

“Characterised by openness, creativity and vibrant interaction, this segment is one of the most diverse areas of the trade show. Over the years, it became the biggest LGBTQ+ tourism presence in any global tourism trade show.”