Latest News
HomeMICE IndustryBusiness Travel66% of travel programmes don’t consider LGBTQ+-specific needs
LGBTQ+ travel

66% of travel programmes don’t consider LGBTQ+-specific needs

(©Sabrina Groeschke/Pixabay)

Business Travel Show Europe data reveals two thirds of travel programmes have no provision for the LGBTQ+ community. Compared to all other historically underrepresented groups, the LGBTQ+ community is the least well provided for.

One week into Pride Month 2022 and new data from a poll of  229 European travel managers conducted by Business Travel Show Europe has revealed that two thirds (66 per cent) of travel programmes do not provide special consideration for LGBTQ+ travellers. 

Over one quarter (26 per cent) of programmes do make provision for the LGBTQ+ community and a further 8 per cent plan to before the year is out but, when compared to other historically underrepresented groups, the LGBTQ+ community is the least well provided for. 

 
Has your travel policy/programme been built with special consideration for the following travellers?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes
 
No
 
We plan to this year
 
It’s too expensive
 
LGBTQ+
 
26
 
66
 
8
 
0
 
Solo women
 
42
 
51
 
8
 
0
 
Marginalised communities (faith, race, religion)
 
31
 
62
 
7
 
0
 
People with accessibility requirements
 
47
 
41
 
10
 
1 1
 
Younger people
 
30
 
65
 
3
 
1 1
 
Older people
 
31
 
61
 
8
 
0
 

“According to the ONS, an estimated 2.7% of British people over 16 identified as LGB in 2019, an increase of 2.2% year on year. It’s estimated a further 200,000-500,000 people in the UK are trans. Yet, these communities are subject to a disproportionate amount of abuse and hate crime,” said BTN Group Executive Vice President Louis Magliaro

“Last month, Asher & Lyric Fergusson conducted 350 hours of research to create the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, which rates the best and worst 203 countries for LGBTQ+ travel in 2022. Many African, Middle Eastern and Caribbean countries feature among the worst, but you may be shocked to see the United States rates just 24th. This is why it’s so important that any company with travellers among the LGBTQ+ community is proactively protecting them and ensuring their duty of care for every second they are travelling under their watch.”

“DEI is finally getting the attention it needs in corporate travel and now there are some fantastic examples of buyers and suppliers working together to achieve real change,” added Magliaro. 

“In this highly interactive session, let’s share what we can all do to make travel management professionals more diverse, plug talent gaps in the supply chain, and do right by our travellers from diverse backgrounds.”

Business Travel Show Europe takes place between 29-30 June 2022 at ExCeL London with complimentary entry, conference programme and networking opportunities to qualified travel managers, buyers and bookers.

Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | Website | + Posts

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

28/03/2024
27/03/2024
26/03/2024
25/03/2024
22/03/2024
21/03/2024