Research has unveiled that nearly half of New Zealand's LGBTQ+ travellers have experienced discrimination when travelling.
With Pride Month in full swing around the world, Booking.com research has revealed that, although travel should be an exciting and welcoming experience for everyone, nearly half (43 percent) of Kiwi LGBTQ+ travellers have experienced discrimination when travelling. For the majority (72 percent), considering whether they can be their most authentic self while travelling is also a key factor. With that in mind, Booking.com launched its Travel Proud programme in 2021 to help LGBTQ+ travellers better plan their next trip, a program that provides free inclusive hospitality training for accommodations to make every guest feel more welcome.
This June, Booking.com is celebrating a key milestone; in just four years there are now more than 100,000 Travel Proud properties worldwide. This year has seen a 34 per cent increase in Proud properties that are recognised with the Travel Proud badge, such as The Hotel Britomart and Fable Dunedin, alongside holiday homes like Wairua Lodge in Whitianga.
The program has since seen rapid adoption, with Australia and New Zealand ranking seventh among countries with the most Travel Proud properties, at almost 5,000 participating properties. Across the ditch, our neighbours in Sydney and Melbourne both rank within the top ten cities worldwide, with a 37 percent year-on-year increase in properties from Australia embracing the initiative.
LGBTQ+ travel isn’t slowing down. Lady Gaga’s recent Singapore concert sparked a wave of regional travel, with ‘little monsters’ from across Asia-Pacific proudly celebrating their identities at the gig. Booking.com reported an increase in Singapore accommodation searches for the tour, and seeing a similar increase for her upcoming Australian tour dates this December.
“At Booking.com, we passionately believe that everyone should be able to travel and experience the world in their own unique way. With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, regardless of who they love or how they identify, we were proud to be one of the first regions in the world to launch Travel Proud in 2021 and achieve this milestone in just four years,” said Todd Lacey, Regional Manager, Booking.com for Oceania.
“Since then, we've been grateful to partner with many pride events in the region, and focus our local Travel Proud campaigns on not only training our partners but supporting the community in a meaningful way by donating to local LGBTQ+ nonprofits.”
More news here.
