The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association symposium that was held on February in South Africa was the first ever on the African continent.

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ape Town - The President and members of the Board of Directors for the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association today announced the appointment of Robert Wilson as their new Executive Director. The decision was initially revealed at the association's symposium in South Africa last weekend, the first ever held on the African continent.

Celso Thompson, President of the IGLTA, welcomed Robert Wilson enthusiastically and noted, "Robert brings a wealth of invaluable experience and personal commitment in the travel field as well as many contributions to IGLTA. His 30-year background in travel will make him an ideal manager and spokesperson for our global vision."

In his very first official responsibilities, Wilson will represent the IGLTA leadership at the ITB (International Travel Exchange) held in Berlin, Germany between March 3 and 7. Upon returning to the United States, he will then take charge of operations for IGLTA from the world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Responding to his appointment in Cape Town, Wilson said, "I am grateful for this vote of confidence, and personally I cannot be more delighted to join the Association. My sleeves are rolled up, and I am just as keen to get to Florida. I see as my first tasks to enhance communication among all our members, and to grow our membership especially among women. Together we will expand our visibility and promote the IGLTA's mission worldwide, so we will be on a roll with the Munich Convention just around the corner."

Wilson's travel background includes twenty years on-board service with several luxury cruise vessels, as well as previous experience as director director of land programming for port briefings and shore excursions. For five years, he also held a position as group tour escort and director for a number of major North American wholesale tour operators.

Robert Wilson arrives at the Fort Lauderdale headquarters for IGLTA after his most recent professional role operating an in-bound tour agency in Wellington, New Zealand. As a longtime member of IGLTA, Wilson was central to the highly successful association symposium held in Wellington in 1999.

Founded in 1981, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association is committed to professional excellence in promoting travel opportunities, services, products, and above all choices for gay and lesbian consumers. With over 1,100 members in over 40 countries in all hemispheres, the IGLTA is the world's leading travel trade association committed to growing and enhancing its members' gay and lesbian tourism business through education, promotion and networking.