Booking.com rolls out Proud Hospitality LGBTQ+ program
Travel platform Booking.com is introducing the Proud Hospitality program to support accommodation providers to become more inclusive and welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers.
Developed in partnership with HospitableMe, the first step of the program to become a Proud Certified property includes a 75-minute online Proud Hospitality training session.
After completing the online course, Proud Certified partners will receive a Travel Proud badge on their property page.
Cities with multiple Proud Certified properties will also be showcased on a designated Travel Proud page, where travellers can learn more about the initiative, as well as book properties that are Proud Certified.
The program was introduces following research conducted with more than 3,000 LGBTQ+ travellers across three continents.
It outlined the attitudes, concerns, and travel preferences, as well as past stay experiences of LGBTQ+ travellers.
The research found a substantial portion of the global population doesn’t feel like they can be themselves when they travel to certain destinations.
The training focuses on the unique challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces when travelling and provides hospitality professionals with practical skills.
"One in five LGBTQ+ travellers say they are hopeful about being able to travel without restrictions or limitations in the next five years. We firmly believe we can get there together and that everyone should be able to experience the world as themselves," said Arjan Dijk, CMO and Senior Vice President at Booking.com.
The training is available free of charge to Booking.com property partners and includes access to additional resources, such as a Travel Proud Customer Toolkit.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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