Mourning the passing of John Tanzella who made the world safer for gay travel

Many in the travel industry are mourning this week following the news of John Tanzella’s death. He was the President/CEO of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association.

IGLTA connects travel professionals, organizations, and companies who value queer travelers. Tanzella, who was based in Palm Springs, served as its President for the past two decades.

IGLTA announced Tanzella, 61, passed away Sunday (June 7) following an extended period of illness:

“For 20 years, John led IGLTA with compassion, kindness, and the unwavering belief that travelers should feel welcome everywhere in the world. His commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ travel steered IGLTA to become the well-respected international organization that it is today, and his desire to give back to the industry he loved so much was the driving force behind the creation of the IGLTA Foundation in 2012, providing much-needed leadership, research, and education globally.”

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IGLTA Board Chair Meg Ten Eyck said in a statement, “At IGLTA, we often refer to our global community as family, and John truly made that a reality. He built a deeply connected team that has been leading the association alongside a passionate board of directors during his absence. We will ensure that the association he loved so much continues to grow and thrive.”

“A strong leader”

Justin Garrett, Chief Revenue Officer for GayCities’ parent company, Q.Digital, remembered Tanzella warmly.

“I remember meeting John in 2006 at his first event as Interim CEO, at an IGLTA symposium in Dallas. There were only about 25 of us, a small group of board members and colleagues. Right away, I was struck by John’s thoughtful leadership style and knew the organization would have a strong leader for years to come.

“His tenure at IGLTA elevated the organization into a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, both within and beyond the world of travel. I was lucky enough to become friends with John through our work together and will miss his kindness, humor, and amazing smile that greeted every room he entered and put everyone at ease.”

Added Scott Furman, Regional Vice President, Sales at Q.Digital: “What makes this loss especially heartbreaking for me, however, is the personal one. As two friends who had both recently made Palm Springs our full-time home, we found ourselves spending more time together and building a friendship I deeply valued. We shared a love for this community, its people, and the unique spirit of Palm Springs, and I was genuinely looking forward to the years ahead—more conversations, more laughter, and watching our friendship continue to grow. John’s passing is a profound loss both professionally and personally. The travel community has lost one of its most influential champions, and I have lost a friend whose presence, warmth, and companionship I will miss tremendously.”

“John was one of those rare and exceptional leaders who combined vision, determination, and hard work with genuine humanity,” said Uwern Jong, Experientialist-in-Chief, OutThere; IGLTA Board Member (2016–2023).

“A tireless champion of young LGBTQ+ tourism entrepreneurs”

“In an industry filled with big personalities, he stood apart through his kindness, humility, and unwavering belief in people. He had a remarkable gift for bringing others together, finding common ground where others saw differences, and making everyone feel valued and heard. That’s why he was so deeply loved across our global LGBTQ+ community.

“What many people may not have seen was how fiercely he cared for those who needed support most. John was a tireless champion of young LGBTQ+ tourism entrepreneurs around the world, especially those living in places where being themselves was illegal, dangerous, or deeply stigmatized. Through his work with the IGLTA Foundation and its scholarship programs, he opened doors, created opportunities, and gave hope to countless individuals who might otherwise never have had a seat at the table.”

Those wishing to make a donation in his memory are requested to contribute to the IGLTA Foundation, where the John Tanzella Fellowship Fund is being established to elevate entrepreneurs in emerging destinations.

IGLTA’s vice president of finance, Tony Warner, will become interim CEO.

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