LGBTQ+ travel tips from RX Global's Brooke Gilbertson

By Brooke Gilbertson, Conference Manager
World Travel Market (WTM) & Arabian Travel Market (ATM)

I am currently the Conference Manager of World Travel Market and Arabian Travel Market, the most influential travel trade shows globally. Both shows see over 40,000 attendees each, making them among the largest and most impactful gatherings in the global travel and tourism industry. My role itself focuses on bringing thought-leadership and educational seminars to travel professionals wanting to hear the latest trends and develop their skills. From Sustainability to Marketing and DEAI, these conference programs are paving the way for growth in the travel industry by providing tangible takeaways to its audience members.

My journey into the travel industry was a complete accident, I hadn’t really considered the option of working in travel, being in events since 18, I never thought a role combining travel and events existed - I was dead set on becoming an Event Director, regardless of the sector. Travel had always been a passion, having already visited 30 countries before I’ve even turned 30. During covid, I missed travel so much I became an Independent Travel Agent - this was the moment of realisation that I could pursue travel as a full-time role, it was just the question of finding a suitable role that matched my skills and ambition. My mindset had completely shifted and I was now wanting to create a career in an industry I had a passion for, rather than wasting time in a role I wasn’t in LOVE with. When the position of Conference Manager came up at WTM I didn’t miss a beat and applied immediately, the rest is history!

As my role in the travel and tourism industry grew, so too did my sense of responsibility-not only to deliver impactful, high-quality content but to champion positive, visible change. Working on a global platform like WTM has placed me at the intersection of innovation, leadership, and inclusion. From the start, I have been a sponge, soaking up trends, data, and perspectives from every corner of the industry. It isn’t just about staying informed but also being connected to others who the conference will impact. Building strong partnerships and ongoing training is a must when working on this show, I really take pride in the relationships forged and the research done to provide the audience with the best quality content and to drive positive change in the industry.

Recently, I’ve attended some thought-provoking conferences, including the International Women in Travel Conference and the Inclusive Travel Forum. These experiences deepened my understanding of designing tourism for all and really provided some new insights to share. In addition, collaborating with WTM’s own DEAI advisor, Uwern Jong, Experientialist-in-Chief of OutThere Magazine, has helped me continuously learn from those at the forefront of LGBTQ+ travel advocacy.

From my 3 years in the industry, here are a few insights I’ve picked up that I believe every LGBTQ+ traveller should know:

1. Seek Out the “Queer Destinations” Certification: This brand bridges the gap between governments, businesses, and LGBTQ+ travellers, co-developing inclusive tourism products through training, quality standards, and curated experiences. Giving visibility to the brands who live and breathe inclusivity.
2. Plan with Brands Like Destination Rainbow: Finding safety and authenticity is crucial, and Destination Rainbow help alleviate the anxiety of the unknown when planning holidays. They only partner with tried-and-tested destinations and accommodations, building trips that prioritise psychological safety and joy.
3. Always look at the History: Destinations that legalised same-sex marriage earlier are often places where inclusivity is woven into cultural norms. Spain, for example has had long-standing LGBTQ+ openness which isn’t always loudly marketed, but it’s felt more deeply on the ground.
4. Follow Authentic Voices: Social media is a minefield of misinformation these days. Trust individuals who show you the nuance, honesty, and occasional travel hiccups over sponsored content. Representation isn’t about perfection-it’s about real people sharing real stories.

Mistakes unfortunately are inevitable when working towards meaningful change, but silence only reinforces the status quo. I’ve learned to embrace missteps and to keep listening, learning, and most importantly speaking up. As I look back at what I’ve helped shape, I’m proud of the conversations sparked, the seats I’ve given to underrepresented voices, and the light I have shone on often overlooked topics in travel.

Having been in post for 3 years, there have been a lot of notable achievements, in addition to the influence created through the programme. After evolving and innovating the content, there are many things I am proud of, including working with keynote speakers such as Louis Theroux and Katherine Ryan. Walking them both around the show floor and discussing the importance of travel with them are career highlights that will stay with me forever!

Finally, what will be a moment I will carry with me forever, is being named one of TTG Media’s 30 under 30 in 2024, cementing my value to the travel industry and acknowledge my hard work to help shape travel through the conference programmes delivered.