Gay and Lesbian Tourism Australia welcomes new board members

Gay and Lesbian Tourism Australia (GALTA) has welcomed two new members to its board, following the LGBTQ+ travel association’s annual general meeting (AGM) for 2020.

Ben Woodward, director of sales and marketing for the CaPTA Group in Cairns, will step into the role of vice president of GALTA, and brings significant experience in tourism and LGBTQ+ pride events.

Sean Hodges-Colavitto, founder of business management company SHC Consultancy, will take on the role of GALTA’s company secretary, and has over 15 years’ experience in tourism and leisure.

The incoming board members join incumbent directors Louise Terry (president), Rod Stringer (finance), Dennis Basham (social media), and Ty Sutherland.

Terry, said the new board additions would be a wonderful asset not only to the team, but also for GALTA’s national members and the LGBTQ+ tourism industry in Australia at a much-needed time.

“In a year that has seen devastating bushfires and an ongoing global pandemic severely impacting tourism in Australia, the board of GALTA is keen to play a part in our national tourism recovery, and the skills that both Ben and Sean bring will be central to this effort,” she said.

“Over the past six months, our priorities were to support members through the challenges as best we could and also take steps to ensure GALTA could continue to operate through the uncertainty and emerge in a solid position.”

Terry said GALTA has also been activating projects to help keep Australia top of mind internationally, such as a video series produced in partnership with Pink Media in the US.

“Moving forward, the board will be focussed on a review of GALTA’s strategic plans to ensure we are aligned, on behalf of our members, with the new circumstances and opportunities for tourism into 2021 and beyond,” she said.

GALTA’s AGM was held at Water’s Edge Resort in Airlie Beach and was followed by a partnership industry networking event with Tourism Whitsundays and its members.

The GALTA board also spent time meeting with its members in the region, including Ocean Rafting, Sundowner Cruises, Magnums Airlie Beach, at Hotel Group, Wings Sailing Charters and Whitsunday Escape.

Image caption (L-R): Sean Hodges-Colavitto, Rod Stringer, Louise Terry, Ben Woodward, and Dennis Basham

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agm annual general meeting Ben Woodward CaPTA Group dennis basham GALTA Gay and Lesbian Tourism Australia LGBTQ LGBTQ+ tourism LGBTQ+ travel LGBTQ+ travel association Louise Terry Rod Stringer Sean Hodges-Colavitto SHC Consultancy travel association Ty Sutherland