The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has partnered with the Ft. Lauderdale-based International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association for the purpose of enhanced member education and joint-marketing opportunities.

We are extremely excited to forge this partnership with IGLTA, said ASTA President and CEO Kathryn W. Sudeikis, CTC. As the premier gay and lesbian travel association, IGLTA brings with it a new dimension to membership in ASTA and a new opportunity for our members to enhance their niche education and expertise. The gay and lesbian travel market is one of the fastest growing areas in the travel industry. With improved access to IGLTA`s membership of gay- and lesbian-friendly tour operators, cruise lines, destinations, CVBs and travel agents, ASTA members interested in pursuing this niche have even more ways in which to grow their business and assist their clients.

Last year gay and lesbian travelers spent over US$54 billion on travel in North America, said IGLTA President Andrew Stokes. ASTA is truly showing its commitment to meeting the needs of the traveling public by addressing this progressive and important travel industry niche.

As part of the agreement, ASTA and IGLTA will exchange reciprocal complimentary memberships and offer members of both groups `member-only` rates to ASTA`s World Travel Congress in Montreal (Nov. 6-11, 2005) and the IGTLA-Symposium 2005 in Lisbon, Sept. 22-25. ASTA and IGLTA will each have a presence at their respective annual meetings, and IGLTA supplier members will have a special section on the Montreal Congress trade show floor.

ASTA also will arrange with its chapters the chance to offer a GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender)-specific education course for its members. This 3-hour certification course would be conducted by IGLTA at no cost to ASTA members. Additionally, IGLTA will offer speakers who can attend ASTA chapter meetings for the purpose of educating members on the GLTB travel niche.