ITB (International Tourism Bourse) is the world’s largest annual tourism travel trade show held in Berlin, Germany, with 24,000 attendees and 10,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries and regions.
At their annual Diversity Awards Richard Gray was awarded the 2024 ITB LGBTQ+ Pioneer of the year Award. This highly prestigious Award has never been awarded to anyone in the State of Florida.
Richard, Visit Lauderdale’s Senior Vice President, has become a revered global leader and icon in the Inclusion and diversity platform and speaks at many conferences around the world.
It has been Richard’s visionary leadership since 1991 that has helped Greater Fort Lauderdale become the LGBTQ capital of Florida and one of the leading global destinations to promote inclusion. More recently Richard has been focusing on Accessible tourism working to promote tourism to travelers with visible and invisible disabilities.
HOTspots asked Richard how he felt about receiving such a major global award, and he said: “I am passionate and committed about the importance of educating and welcoming all travelers and fighting for equality. To be called a pioneer is humbling. My focus has always been to make a global difference. When I receive an Award like this it is like the icing on the cake. I do appreciate it.”
Note from Scott Holland, our Associate Publisher, and Vice President of Operations: “I have known and am lucky enough to be friends with Richard Gray for over 20 years. There is no one more deserving of this award and no one that loves Broward County more than him. Kudos to the ITB for recognizing his extraordinary efforts!”
