Together with the nation’s leading LGBTQ+ travel expert, Ed Salvato and the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), Dream Vacations’/CruiseOne’s webinars will provide travel professionals guidance on how to authentically engage with and grow sustainable business with LGBTQ+ travelers.
The LGBTQ+ community faces unique travel challenges as acceptance, laws and protections vary widely around the world. It is of the utmost importance for travel advisors who serve clientele from this community to be educated in the best times to visit, events and tours available, and up-to-date insights on LGBTQ+ laws and protections in each country. Salvato’s webinar on reaching LGBTQ+ travelers focuses on safety and inclusion, challenging advisors to take a deep dive to confirm destinations will be truly welcoming for their clients. Salvato will also explore the important needs and concerns LGBTQ+ travelers may have along with providing the top friendly destinations and others where caution is necessary.
“With Pride Month, we felt it was the perfect time to offer these educational trainings and niche marketing assets to all of our franchisees who would like to deepen their understanding of and connection to the LGBTQ+ community,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations/CruiseOne. “Along with our parent company, World Travel Holdings, Dream Vacations/CruiseOne is proud to be a diversity-friendly organization. It is our goal to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone to feel comfortable and supported.”
Franchise owners like Jeff and Jeri Leach from Nebraska, who pride themselves on helping everyone book their dream vacations, believe advisors should never leave any stone unturned when it comes to increasing their knowledge about the safety and wellbeing of their clients.
“We have helped several same-sex couples with destination wedding groups,” said Jeff Leach, a Dream Vacations franchise owner. “Just like doctors need to brush up on the latest medical practices or lawyers with legislation, travel advisors need education on so many different fronts to make sure we’re sending clients to safe and welcoming environments.”
In the first week of June, Dream Vacations/CruiseOne will co-host a webinar with the IGLTA to provide the network with free travel resources and information while working to promote equality and safety within LGBTQ+ tourism worldwide.
Dream Vacations has been recognized for its commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) including being ranked #32 overall by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Franchises for DEI and was recently named a 2024 Culture100 Franchise by Franchise Business Review
Tags: Jeff Leach, Drew Daly, Dream Vacations/CruiseOne, International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA),
