Business Travel Show Europe reveals lack of travel provision for LGBTQ+

Business Travel Show Europe data reveals two thirds of travel programmes have no provision for the LGBTQ+ community.

We’re half way through Pride Month 2022 and new research from Business Travel Show Europe has revealed that two thirds (66 per cent) of travel programmes are created without special consideration for the LGBTQ+ community, making them the least well provided for historically underrepresented group.

The data – drawn from a poll of 229 European travel managers – shows that just one quarter (26 per cent) are built with the LGBTQ+ community in mind. A further 8 per cent plan to before the year is out.

“According to the ONS, an estimated 2.7% of British people over 16 identified as LGB in 2019, an increase of 2.2% year on year. It’s estimated a further 200,000-500,000 people in the UK are trans. Yet, these communities are subject to a disproportionate amount of abuse and hate crime,” said BTN Group Executive Vice President Louis Magliaro.

“Last month, Asher & Lyric Fergusson conducted 350 hours of research to create the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, which rates the best and worst 203 countries for LGBTQ+ travel in 2022. Many African, Middle Eastern and Caribbean countries feature among the worst, but the United States rates at 24^th.”

Business Travel Show Europe is hosting a free masterclass at 1130 on Thursday 30 June at ExCeL London called Making diversity, equity and inclusion a reality in business travel.

“DEI is finally getting the attention it needs in corporate travel and there are some fantastic examples of buyers and suppliers working together to achieve real change, but I can’t stress how important it is for companies with travellers from the LGBTQ+ community to proactively protect them and ensure their duty of care every second they are travelling under their watch,” added Magliaro.

Business Travel Show Europe takes place between 29-30 June 2022 at ExCeL London with complimentary entry, conference programme and networking opportunities to qualified EAs, PAs and travel bookers.