A web app will connect destinations, spaces and activities committed to diversity. Backed by European funds and led by industry leaders, the guide seeks to transform the way LGTBIQ+ people travel in Spain.
One more step towards tourism that celebrates difference
Torremolinos, a town that has been a symbol of freedom and diversity for decades, has been the setting chosen for the official presentation of the new Guide to LGTBI Tourism Spain Experiences. The platform, still in the final phase of development, was presented at the Ritual Hotel before more than a hundred professionals from the sector, in an event that combined institutional speeches, open dialogue and space for networking.
The digital guide, developed as a web app, aims to connect travelers with safe, authentic experiences aligned with inclusive values. Through certified recommendations, it will bring together accommodations, restaurants, cultural activities and events that are committed to respect, training and diversity as the main axes of its proposal.
Who drives the project and why it matters
The project has been possible thanks to the collaboration between Queer Destinations, ACOGAT, Axel Hotels, Respira Comunicación and Shangay. And it has notable financial backing: 704,700 euros from Next Generation EU funds. Its objective is no less: to transform traditional tourism into a more humane, sustainable and inclusive model, focused on the experiences of LGTBIQ+ people.
Ignacio Martínez, president of ACOGAT, opened the day by highlighting the role of Torremolinos as a pioneer in the visibility of the group. “This guide not only makes destinations visible, it also reflects the hospitality and real commitment of the spaces that comprise it,” he stated.
He was followed by institutional representatives such as Francisco Javier Salas, subdelegate of the Government in Malaga, and Francisco García Macías, councilor for Equality, who stressed the public responsibility in building environments where everyone feels safe.
It’s not just technology: it’s identity, it’s security
Oriol Pàmies, founder of Queer Destinations, was direct: “This goes beyond a platform. It is a transformative tool. A bridge between those who seek to travel feeling recognized and spaces that are committed to being safe and hospitable.”
The methodology Hospitality Meets Diversity, already implemented in multiple destinations, has trained more than 200,000 professionals. Now, that experience takes digital form to multiply its impact.
What does the guide really offer?
The LGTBIQ+ Experience Guide will allow:
- Identify accommodations, restaurants and events with inclusive certification.
- Connect with professionals trained in respectful and diverse care.
- Improve the travel experience for the group, promoting environments where you do not have to “explain yourself” to feel accepted.
- Strengthen the positioning of destinations as references in inclusive tourism.
- Promote the local economy from a human rights approach.
A launch with shared reflection
During the event, a space was opened for public and media participation. Challenges were discussed such as the need for legislation to support these models, the risks of turning inclusion into a mere marketing strategy, and how to measure the real impact of initiatives like this on the daily life of the group.
Is all that glitters real inclusion?
Although the guide has been received with enthusiasm, it is also important to ask questions: What guarantees are there that the spaces included will maintain their commitment in the long term? How can we prevent these types of tools from becoming empty showcases of diversity? Inclusion should not become a profitable label, but rather a sustained, coherent and verifiable practice. Only time and transparency will tell if this guide delivers on its transformative promise.
