Daniel Solana, director of Basquetour, collects the prestigious ‘ITB LGBTQ+ Tourism Award’ in recognition of the sustainable and inclusive commitment of the Basque territory as a safe and diverse destination.
Amidst the political and social noise that often surrounds us, it’s always a breath of fresh air to bring you Rainbow news that celebrates real inclusion. Today we pack our virtual bags and travel to Germany, because the Basque Country has just marked a historic milestone in one of the most important tourism fairs in the world. Euskadi has been awarded in Berlin for demonstrating that welcoming our community goes far beyond hanging a flag in June.
A prize for authentic commitment, far from ‘pinkwashing’
Last Thursday night, March 5, 2026, the halls of the majestic Waldorf Astoria hotel were dressed up to host the ITB Diversity Gala. In this unbeatable setting, surrounded by leaders and professionals from the sector worldwide, Euskadi received the prestigious ITB LGBTQ+ Tourism Award.
Daniel Solana, general director of Basquetour (the Basque Tourism Agency), was in charge of raising this award. But what exactly does this recognition mean? Organized in close collaboration with the IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association) Foundation, this award is not given at random. It specifically rewards those destinations and suppliers that have consolidated a solid, sustainable and genuine commitment to LGTBIQ+ travelers, demonstrating that diversity is a strategic pillar and not a simple temporary marketing campaign.
Three days of intense activity in the European epicenter
The award has been the icing on the cake after a week of tireless work. During the three days that ITB Berlin lasted (March 3 to 5), the Basque territory deployed all its artillery in the LGBTQ+ Tourism Pavilion, the most vibrant and dynamic heart of the entire fair.
With the help of strategic partners such as Diversity Tourism GmbH and Queer Destinations, Euskadi not only had its own counter to serve professionals, but also led the conversation about the future of our trips:
- Connection and avant-garde: The agenda started on Tuesday with the LGBTQ+ Media Brunch, a vital networking space where the Basque destination strengthened its ties with specialized media and key agents in the sector.
- Beyond Pride: On Wednesday, Daniel Solana spoke at a round table whose title is a declaration of intent: “Beyond Pride: Designing Tourism for the Full Spectrum of LGBTQ+ Travellers.” There, he exposed the strengths that make Euskadi a safe, diverse and culturally rich refuge 365 days a year.
Seeing our institutions collect international awards is always a source of pride, but it is also a perfect opportunity to ignite our critical spirit, readers. I ask you: What makes you feel truly safe and welcomed when traveling to a new destination? Do you think the global tourism industry is understanding the difference between taking our money and genuinely protecting our rights on their streets and hotels? An international award puts us on the map, but it is the real warmth of the host society that makes us want to return.
