Reed & Mackay has released the latest report in its Thought Leadership series – and the second in a series on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) – on how to better support LGBTQ+ business travellers.
Nearly one in 10 adults across 30 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia identify as LGBTQ+. However, in a survey last year by security specialist World Travel Protection, 14% of travellers had felt the need to hide their own sexuality or seen a colleague hide their sexuality on a business trip. And, one in 10 travellers said they had even refused, or seen a colleague refuse, to travel to countries with anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
Elsewhere, an Opinium survey of 1,000 United States and Canada business travellers revealed that only a few employers provide LGBTQ+ rights information on the countries they are visiting. Additionally, while a poll of European travel buyers showed a growing number of corporate programmes were now providing special consideration for LGBTQ+ travellers, it also showed the community remains among the least-provided-for travellers in corporate travel programmes. And that was despite there being a growing awareness among travel managers as to their specific needs.
Organisations have diverse workforces. So the research above highlights that the LGBTQ+ community requires an enhanced duty of care programme if travelling for business. In addition, this need becomes increasingly significant as generations move through the workforce. Specifically, Gen Z is the the age group most likely to identify as LGBTQ+ and increasingly expects an inclusive culture.
So how can the travel industry better support LGBTQ+ business travellers?
In this Thought Leadership Reed & Mackay aims to generate further discussion on how and where the travel industry can better support LGBTQ+ travellers and acknowledge the complexities the community faces. We explore:
· Where TMCs can help with the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ employees travelling
· What key industry stakeholders are doing to move the dial to offer better support
· Recent airline initiatives in this space
· Where hotels are driving inclusive environments
· Best practice in holding inclusive meetings and events
· What business travellers would like to see in place for better support
· Resources on where to find destination reports and advice on LGBTQ+ rights across the globe.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
Reed & Mackay designed its Thought Leadership series to start discussions around key issues and topics affecting the business travel sector. As well as this latest report, read our previous DEI Thought Leadership: Supporting business travellers with visible and hidden disabilities.
