Strengthening LGBTQ Tourism, Together

Travel representatives from all corners of the industry came together at Cruise Planners Home Office for the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition meeting, led by Charlie Rounds of Mossier. Cruise Planners COO and founder Vicky Garcia served as the meeting host, inviting attendees to our new Home Office which was incredibly fitting as the new space was designed to foster collaboration. 

Cruise Planners is a champion of the LGBT community and Vicky Garcia is always at the head of Cruise Planners’ involvement in local, national and international initiatives, including the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBTQ Think Tank. At its core, Mossier is committed to investing in LGBTQ entrepreneurs in tourism destinations such as the Dominican Republic where they are working to expand the LGBTQ travel industry and empower the LGBTQ community. Key messages of the meeting included inclusiveness, immersion and sustainability.

From left to right: Jeff Wahl, Mossier; Jill Stoneberg, Virgin Voyages; Monica Puello, Carnival Corporation; Charlier Rounds, Mossier; Vicky Garcia, Cruise Planners; Andrea Peters, Advantage Car Rental; Nathan Hickman, Norwegian Cruise Line; Stephen Prisco, GayTravel.com; Eric Hodgson, Vacaya; Greishka Campo, Sol Melia; Steve Rohrlick, GayTravel.com; Rosalia Rodriguez de Legisima Ropero, Sol Melia; Billy Kolber, Man About World

The event brought together cruise line representatives, travel journalists, destination representatives and Cruise Planners, who represents travel advisors across the nation. Carnival Corporation, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages were all eager to attend the think tank and are valued partners of Cruise Planners. The group discussed how their brands and the travel community as a whole could better support LGBTQ businesses and communities while also making travel more inclusive for LGBTQ travelers.

“The important thing we discussed was the value and perks of being a travel agent,” said Charlie Rounds, program manager at Mossier. “Travel agents know their clients better than anybody and for us to succeed with LBGTQ travel, it is the travel agent who can engage the community and help us with our efforts.”

Find local travel agents near you at Cruise Planners.