Event Director, Simon Mayle, RX said “I always wanted to build an event in the travel industry focused on the LGBTQ+ community and PROUD Experiences has become that show. Celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as well as providing content from the voices that matter - today’s LGBTQ+ travellers – this week has brought together some 300 international attendees, both travel brands and travel agents, and is the biggest event of its 3-year history. We’ve done it, we have created a rainbow industry family and we are delighted that we will be continuing our journey when we move PROUD Experiences to Los Angeles in 2023”.
“The coming together of everyone and being able to celebrate and be proud is what this is all about. The travel industry is returning strong, and we are happy to be supporting the LGBTQ+ traveller” said Albert Herrera, EVP Partner Relations, Internova Travel Group, the headline sponsor of this year’s show.
Kicking off the week, The PROUD Gathering brought the community together to update attendees on lessons learned since the last event in 2019. Uwern Jong, Editor-in-Chief, OutThere facilitated the agenda. “We believe the power of travel can influence change for us in the industry. We know we must start speaking the language of the LGBTQ+ traveller, which we started discussing then, and now it’s even more relevant. Because if we don’t, we are missing out on all our future clients. Gen Z are already demanding change, so PROUD Experiences is critical for us to continue to learn and build on the momentum, to keep moving this dialogue forwards”.
Ed Salvato, Author, Travel Marketing Expert added “We want this event to help everyone go back and get active, understand why it matters, take away real ideas and turn them into actions, plus see what you can do with everything we share as a community. The idea that a company only promotes itself during Pride month is no longer acceptable – its rainbow washing! Think what you are doing the other 11 months of the year - this is an ongoing consistent journey for the hospitality industry.”
The theme of understanding the needs of the LGBTQ+ traveller became centric to the show’s content, conversations and Masterclass agenda. Contributing to the debate were two panellists in the MasterClass sessions, Asian Maple Leaf gay travel blogger duo Barry and his partner Teraj who told the attendee audience “Show inclusivity in marketing materials because if you present us as LGBTQ+, you will have customers for life – we are a loyal community!”
“There is a big difference between being aware and showing we are understanding and inclusive. My takeaway this week is to be better. True allies need to be more active in this community in general. For example, we have many filters on our website but not one for LGBTQ+ – so I’m changing that as soon as I return home” commented luxury lifestyle concierge, Filippo Torriani, CEO and Founder, Queen of Clubs.
“Attending this show was extremely impactful and insightful with many takeaways. During these three days I learned so much and I now have a strong sense of duty and commitment to partner with brands and allies in creating a space that is welcoming and safe for LGBTQ+ travellers. #belongeverywhere spoke to my core and I wish that for everyone” commented Desiree Overhage, Co-Founder & Luxury Travel Advisor, Inner Circle Travel.
Sherwin Banda President African Travel Inc. took away this week the need to shape their own marketing tools for agents. “As a result of this week at PROUD Experiences, I want to provide travel partners with LGBTQ+ content to include in their marketing platforms and help promote safe travel in Africa. This will help them start the conversation for this audience who are looking for diverse travel experiences around the world, especially in Africa, which is so niche.”
Yann Gillet, General Manager, Hôtel Martinez in Cannes commented: “We want to celebrate the work our industry is doing to extend care for the LGBTQ+ community but also to continue and elevate to ensure everyone has a safe space to be themselves, also feeling free and welcome. It's more than words, it's actions, it's a calling for building an inclusive culture. Learning from the community and our industry peers this week has given us so many take-aways.”
Anton Moore, General Manager, Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC says, “There were so many take aways this week, but one, is for us to think about what we can do from a guest arrival experience. We need to be a leader here, an advocate, because we are the hotel in Meatpacking District where a whole neighbourhood has grown up with the LGBTQ+ community.”
On Leaving NYC, Fred Dixon, President and CEO at NYC & Company recognised why PROUD Experiences was important to the city: "It was an honour to welcome PROUD Experiences back to Brooklyn this year. With its focus on luxury LGBTQ+ travel, it is the perfect platform to showcase the universal appeal of New York City as the most popular LGBTQ+ destination on the planet and we are more committed than ever to supporting and growing this important segment of travellers.”
Next year, PROUD Experiences moves to West Coast US – held at LA’s Fairmont Century Plaza 5th – 7th June 2023.
