Member Spotlight – Dennis Basham

Meet Brisbane member and Gay & Lesbian Tourism Australia board member Dennis Basham.

Dennis has spent more than 25 years in the hospitality, tourism & aviation industries starting his career in hotels before moving into the aviation industry with Ansett, Virgin & Scoot. More recently Dennis moved into touring with Back-Roads & over the past 8 years has also volunteered on the GALTA Board.

How did you get into travel?

I started working in hotels from a young age and got the ‘travel bug’! After opening 2 fantastic ‘5 star’ startup hotels I moved into the aviation industry where I have spent the past 20 years. More recently I’ve moved into touring to learn a new part of our fantastic industry.

The travel industry is my passion and I want to learn as much as I can about all areas and how it is all connected.

What tourism problem are you solving?

In 2011 I started volunteer work with GALTA (Gay & Lesbian Tourism Australia) as a Board Member & Company Secretary. I wanted to be involved with, and help LGBTI welcoming tourism related products in APAC market to this niche audience. We are simply linking the LGBTI community, their friends & family to products that support and appreciate them while raising awareness for products who don’t discriminate and offer equality.

How are you creating a positive future for travel?

We help train hotels, tour operators, airlines, car hire companies, media and all other areas of the tourism industry how to attract, treat and maintain business from the LGBTI community in a positive way.

How can the Travel Massive community help you?

If you are a tourism related product that supports the LGBTI community then we are offering to feature your products on Visit Gay Australia and/or the GALTA website.  Head over to the websites and register your interest.

Where do you seek advice? Who’s your hero?

I enjoy reading many travel-related blogs, LinkedIn and talking with my colleagues for the latest travel trends and advice however the best advice and who I bounce ideas off is my wonderful, supportive partner who is frank, honest, positive and smart!

 Follow Dennis on Travel Massive to connect with him and learn more about becoming involved with GALTA.