Summer comes early at the Gay Star Travel Expo 2015
Queer travel event featured packed political debates and killer performances from La Voix and London Gay Big Band…
The Gay Star Travel Expo returned to London’s Heaven nightclub for the second time last Saturday – and the one-stop-travel-shop proved a huge success, with LGBTI travelers filling the venue throughout the day.
The event featured two packed afternoon debates, the first featuring political figures Lord Cashman, Baroness Barker and Crispin Blunt.
They debated the motion ‘Global LGBTI rights: what is Britain’s role?’ The second debate featured human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, Nigerian activist Bisi Alimi and Ugandan activist Edwin Sesange.
They discussed the question: ‘Are we winning or losing the fight for LGBTI rights worldwide?’
A highlight of the day was undoubtedly a series of rousing performances from former Britain’s Got Talent finalists La Voix and the London Gay Big Band.
The fabulous La Voix also made for a hilariously acerbic host during the two fashion shows – featuring male models in nothing but their underwear.
Meanwhile, Andrew Hayden-Smith, star of E4’s new gay drama Banana, also attended the expo along with gay men’s mag Attitude (the handsome actor, along with the rest of Cucumber, Banana, Tofu cast, appears on the cover of this month’s issue).
Fun and games on the day included a hot tub, a ski simulator and drinks samples from the likes of Barefoot Wines and ICB.
Meanwhile, attendees chatted with travel industry experts and authorities included Atlantic Pride, Visit Vienna, Austrian Airlines, Sun Resorts, City Cruises and GoCruise, plus the tourist boards of Gibraltar and Vienna.
Other guests on the day included 56 Dean Street, Ombudsman, iON cameras and Gaydio.
Gay Star News editor Tris Reid-Smith was delighted with the Gay Star Travel Expo’s success, saying: “It was great to meet so many of our readers at the expo, and all our exhibitors were pleased to get the opportunity to interact with LGBTI travelers face-to-face.
“We owe a huge thanks to all of the exhibitors – and well done to the winners of the Eurovision competition, in association with Visit Vienna and Austrian Airlines, plus the iON camera winner – winners to be announced soon. Finally and most importantly, thanks to everyone who came along, threw themselves into it and made it such a fun, friendly day.”
