ETW Staff– Mumbai
World Travel Market has announced an increased focus on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender(LGBT) tourism market through strengthening the strategic partnership with one of the world’s leading specialist LGBT consulting firm, Out Now.
The move follows initial collaboration on themed exhibitor space during 2012 and 2013 for LGBT tourism at WTM events, coordinated by Out Now through its B2B networking programme Out Now Business Class – which in 2013 became the world’s largest LGBT travel trade association. In 2014 the ‘ONBC Official LGBT Village’ returns for the third consecutive year to WTM, with similar LGBT Villages scheduled for WTM Latin America and WTM Africa in 2015.
The new partnership allows these companies to tap into global networking opportunities offered by WTM, leveraged by the targeted and valuable suite of resources delivered by ONBC to reach LGBT consumers worldwide.
Latest findings from LGBT2020 study reveal just how crucial accurate market insights have become for those interested in improving their performance within the valuable LGBT tourism market. New findings from this industry-leading research programme revealed in 2014 that the local situation for LGBT people can now play a decision-influencing role on where LGBT people will choose to spend their holidays.
Simon Press, senior director, World Travel Market, said, “As our relationship with Out Now has evolved over the last ten years, so have the resources available for those looking to learn and successfully build their business within the LGBT tourism sector. This new partnership with ONBC and Out Now travel will help the industry, our delegates – and most importantly the LGBT customer group globally. We are delighted to bring these strategic advantages to market through this partnership with Out Now.”
More than two thirds of USA respondents to the 2014 sample in the LGBT2020 study indicated the legal situation in a particular destination influenced their travel plans to either a great extent, or a moderate extent.
