Paris is strengthening its position as a leading destination for LGBTQ+ travelers with the creation of a new LGBTQ+ Tourism Steering Committee aimed at enhancing the French capital’s international appeal.
The initiative was officially launched during Pride Fortnight by Paris Diversité, formerly known as Paris Gay Métropole, together with the Paris Chamber of Commerce, Paris je t’aime Tourist Office, SNEG & Co, Inter-LGBT and the City of Paris.
The new committee is designed to bring together tourism businesses, cultural organizations, associations and institutions to better coordinate and promote Paris’ LGBTQ+ tourism offering.
Although Paris is already considered one of the world’s most attractive destinations for LGBTQ+ visitors thanks to its cultural attractions, vibrant community and long-standing commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, many organizations still operate independently.
Rather than creating a new tourism product, the committee aims to improve coordination, increase visibility and foster cooperation among stakeholders.
Paris Diversité, founded in 2012, will oversee the operational management of the initiative.
Founding members are inviting organizations to sign a Charter of Commitment, which outlines shared values and objectives. The charter includes plans to introduce an LGBTQ+ Welcome Charter for the destination, establishing hospitality standards and recognizing businesses committed to inclusive and welcoming practices.
Other priorities include developing a joint marketing strategy, promoting LGBTQ+ businesses and events, collecting and sharing tourism data, training industry professionals in inclusive hospitality, and expanding cooperation with other European destinations.
Among the first projects are the creation of a directory of LGBTQ+ stakeholders, improved indexing of tourism products, and the launch of a dynamic multilingual events calendar through parislgbt.com.
The committee also plans to work with tour operators to market members’ products and develop SEO, media and public relations campaigns.
Membership in the steering committee is now open to tourism businesses, retailers, cultural organizations, event organizers, institutions and companies committed to promoting inclusion.
The goal is to create a representative and operational network capable of advancing LGBTQ+ tourism across Paris and the wider Île-de-France region.
