The award recognizes small LGBTQ+ businesses committed to responsible tourism.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Foundation has announced that Lunfarda Travel, a Buenos Aires-based travel company, is the recipient of the 2023 Impact Award, which honors responsible tourism development. The award will be presented at IGLTA’s 40th Anniversary Global Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico set for 4-7 October. The founder of Lunfarda, Mariana Radisic Koliren, was a recipient of the 2022 David Martin Small Business Fellowship, an IGLTA Foundation fellowship program.
As one of the first female, queer-owned travel companies in Argentina, Lunfarda Travel sets a remarkable example of responsible tourism, emphasizing diversity and inclusion. Their unique experiences, such as the Black History and Queer History tours, not only forge meaningful connections with clients but also shed light on often overlooked aspects of Argentina’s heritage. Lunfarda’s support for the LGBTQ+ community further extends through their partnership with Mocha Celis, an NGO operating a school for trans and non-binary students. They also actively participate in reforestation efforts through their partnership with an NGO that restores land in Cordoba, Argentina, using native plants to transform it into protected natural areas.
“We greatly appreciate Lunfarda Travel’s commitment to responsible and inclusive travel. They are a shining example of how small businesses can make a positive impact in the travel industry,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella. “The 2023 Impact Award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of their efforts, and we look forward to showcasing their efforts at the IGLTA Global Convention in San Juan.”
“It’s an honor to receive the Impact Award and be acknowledged for our ongoing work spearheading an intersectional framework in travel. We are grateful to IGLTA for its continued educational and networking opportunities and we look forward to sharing our success story with everyone in Puerto Rico,” said Mariana Radisic Koliren, Founder of Lunfarda Travel. “Our case shows that having a core framework of diversity is not just an ethical necessity but a fruitful business approach. We hope our story can help other providers achieve a more community-based approach that will help destinations showcase themselves in increasingly diverse ways.”
The Impact Award was created in 2021 in collaboration with The TreadRight Foundation – the philanthropic arm of The Travel Corporation—to recognize IGLTA small business members whose initiatives encourage sustainable tourism in three key areas: environment, community, and diversity and inclusion.
Special thanks to the Impact Award Judging Committee: Maria Cuba (Airbnb), Shannon Guihan (The TreadRight Foundation), Rika Jean-Francois (ITB Berlin), Raj Kumamoto Tamang (Responsible Adventures) and Brett Massoud (Dadamanga, 2022 recipient of the Impact Award).
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