LGBTQ+ travel for pride

Happy Pride!

Today is the 52nd anniversary of the start of the Stonewall Riots, which ushered in a new era of the gay rights movement. As pride month draws to a close, and travel starts to resume, we’re spending a lot of time thinking about our LGBTQ+ clients, and how we can keep them safe when they travel.

Of course, safety is a concern for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression—especially in the age of COVID. But our LGBTQ+ clients have a whole extra set of considerations.

Our LGBTQ+ clients want to know that they’ll be traveling to destinations that are safe and welcoming. It’s a sad state of affairs that much of the Caribbean is not welcoming to gay travelers, for example. So, when we get the inquiry about where and how it might be safe for members of our community to travel there, we’re extra careful to select the right place.

Which suppliers we use also matters. Our clients who check in to a hotel with a same-sex spouse or partner don’t want to have an uncomfortable conversation with a desk clerk about why they want a king-sized bed. That’s one reason we partner with suppliers who train their staff on how to be responsive to the needs of LGBTQ+ clients. For example Accor Hotels — a major hotel group that includes many brands in our hotel program, such as Fairmont, Raffles, SLS and Banyan Tree — recently partnered with one of our industry trade associations, the International Gay and Lesbian Tourism Association (“IGLTA”) to set and enforce new standards of diversity and inclusion.

And for our transgender and gender non-conforming clients, we know that there are a range of safety and security issues when they travel. Whether their appearance matches the gender on their travel documentation, or if the name they use at check-in differs from the name on their passport or drivers license, we’re sensitive to those issues, and can provide assistance to our trans clients on how to travel safely.

Traveling safely is more important than ever, for all of us. But for our LGBTQ+ clients, we’re equipped to provide guidance and help with the full-range of concerns. With so many travel agencies marketing to the LGBTQ+ community, it’s not hard to find a gay-friendly travel advisor. But it’s not just about “being okay” with “the gays.” LGBTQ+ travelers know that they need advisors who truly understand the issues and who can be responsive in a meaningful way. And that’s us!