About 94% of international LGBTQ+ business travellers experienced discrimination, and 82% changed hotels due to safety concerns, a 2023 survey by has revealed.
Although the travel industry is increasingly addressing inclusivity, research shows that business travel聽is lagging.
鈥淭he lack of inclusivity in business travel is troubling. It creates uneven playing fields for LGBTQ+ employees, limiting their career opportunities if they feel unsafe travelling. This hurts both individuals and organisations. Plus, it undermines a company鈥檚 diversity efforts and reputation,鈥� says聽, GM of .
Smith adds that addressing the safety of LGBTQ+ business travellers can be difficult due to the rapid changes to LGBTQ+ rights and safety concerns worldwide.
According to the 鈥檚听, Africa is the most risky continent to travel to for LGBTQ+ travellers, basing this on rights, laws, freedoms and public perspectives. Thirty-one countries in Africa have criminalised聽homosexuality,聽and聽many more display anti-queer sentiments. Other dangerous regions for聽queer聽travellers include the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, North Asia and East Asia.
Even in countries that are considered LGBTQ+ friendly, travellers can still face challenges, as 90% of business travellers reported that they still hid their sexual orientation during their trips.
However, this strategy聽does not always guarantee聽their safety.
Smith recommends training staff and using TMCs that will understand the unique risks and cultural sensitivities to accommodate and assist employees who do not conceal their sexuality. TMCs can do this by communicating with local tour operators and DMCs who are aware of establishments and accommodations that are queer-friendly or by consulting online guides for options such as聽. IGLTA offers lists of tour operators and accommodations that are tolerant of LGBTQ+ travellers.
TMCs can also offer pre-trip assessments that examine local laws and customs, the degree of social and cultural acceptance as well as outlying practices. An example of an outlier is when homosexuality is not illegal in a country, but specific ideas of public indecency that correlate with queerness can result in arrest.
Smith emphasises the importance聽by corporates聽to train staff on how rights vary in different countries,聽and who to contact in medical emergencies and for legal support if faced with assault, detention, imprisonment, or deportation.
Furthermore, by creating inclusive policies that adapt to destination-specific laws, sociopolitical changes, safety considerations and language usage, diversity, equity and inclusivity policies are validated. Additionally, it safeguards employees鈥� mental and physical health, improving work ethic and retention.
鈥淎n inclusive travel culture can improve morale and make staff feel valued by their employer,鈥� concludes Smith.
This article first appeared on .
