10th of August - World LGBTQ+ Tourism Day

The importance of this day relays on the fact that two different and extremely interesting aspects intertwine. On the one hand, we find the LGBTIQ community, which is extremely diverse and therefore brings new perspectives on the importance of inclusivity. On the other hand, there is the tourism sector, which is one of the main actors in the global economy and is also an important site to facilitate social interaction. In this sense, the synergies generated between tourism and the LGBTIQ community allow for the celebration of a special occasion, as is the World LGBTQ+ Tourism Day.

Nevertheless, we need to keep in mind that this celebration is part of a long fight for LGBTIQ rights all over the world to claim for everyone to travel freely. In this concrete case, the LGBTIQ community is not always welcomed, comfortable or secure while travelling. The main solution to change this situation is to raise awareness within the tourism sector and to train professionals on how to adapt the sector to fully welcome and embrace the LGBTIQ community. To this end, the students of the Master’s in LGBT Tourism at CETT-University of Barcelona have written 10 good practices for tourism professionals to ensure LGBTIQ inclusion in the tourism sector.

10 good practices to ensure LGBTIQ inclusion in the tourism sector

1. Train tourism professionals on diversity, equity and inclusion based on gender perspective.
2. Raise awareness and educate the tourism sector for a better hosting of the LGBTIQ community.
3. Create tourism communication campaigns to make intersectionality visible within the LGBTIQ community.
4. Identify the unique needs of different groups within the LGBTIQ community to ensure that everyone is embraced within the tourism sector.
5. Provide interactive experiences for tourists with the local community, particularly for the LGBTIQ community.
6. Ensure the inclusion of the LGBTIQ community in the tourism workforce, especially those groups that are usually more marginalized, such as the trans community.
7. Publicly commit with the destination or company to evidence responsibility to the LGBTIQ community.
8. Partner with local LGBTIQ entities to ensure that both tourists and locals feel represented.
9. Guarantee that providers and suppliers are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
10. Implement strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.