- Half of LGBTIQ+ travellers (46%) report they have experienced some form of 
discrimination when travelling

Today, leading digital travel platform Booking.com released new research 
revealing half of Australian LGBTIQ+ travellers have experienced some form of 
discrimination when traveling. 

With travel restrictions resulting in this year's Winter Pride in New Zealand 
being cancelled, and this key moment of travel and celebration put on hold for 
LGBTIQ+ communities, it's more important than ever to reflect on the challenges 
they face. With this campaign, Booking.com aims to create a more inclusive 
experience when travel becomes a possibility again.

According to the research, 66% say they have to consider their safety and 
wellbeing as an LGBTIQ+ traveller when picking a destination and over half 
(57%) believe traveling as part of the LGBTIQ+ community means that some 
destinations are off limits.

As evidenced by this research with LGBTIQ+ travellers, and despite some 
positive signals, a substantial portion of the global population doesn't feel 
like they can show up as themselves when they travel. In light of this, 
Booking.com today announced its Proud Hospitality training program for its 
accommodation partners.

The first step for an accommodation provider to become a Proud Certified 
property on the Booking.com platform is a 75-minute online Proud Hospitality 
training session. After completing the online course and making a commitment to 
deliver a more inclusive experience, Proud Certified partners will receive a 
Travel Proud badge on their property page.

"Everything we do at Booking.com is about enabling smoother and more enjoyable 
travel experiences for everyone - no matter where they come from, who they love 
or how they identify," said Tracey Foxall, Regional Manager Oceania at 
Booking.com. 

"One in five Australian LGBTIQ+ 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, always." 

The training is available free of charge to Booking.com property partners. The 
program is also rolling out to partners in the United States, Canada, UK, 
Germany, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

CONTACT DETAILS

For further information, contact the Booking.com Australia Press Office team: 
bookingau@redhavas.com.

Source: Booking.com