LGBTQ+ Tourism: Openness and Diversity as a Competitive Advantage

That inclusive work and travel environments are an important topic from Iceland to Japan was demonstrated in a panel on the LGBTQ+ Tourism Stage at ITB Berlin. Oddný Arnarsdóttir, Head of Visit Iceland, Roger Holzapfel-Barta, CEO of Deutsche Eiche from Munich, Shiho Ikeuchi, General Manager at ACE HOTEL KYOTO, as well as researcher, author, and economist Jens Schadendorf discussed ways to promote greater acceptance and diversity.

The people of Iceland are not only among the happiest in the world. The Nordic island nation also ranks at the top of the annually published Gay Travel Index. This means that members of the queer community can travel there with particular safety. Oddný Arnarsdóttir, Head of Visit Iceland with a degree in Human Rights, actively uses her country's tolerant reputation in marketing the destination. Within her organization, the 360-degree method helps ensure that people of different genders, ages, and sexual orientations feel seen.

Strengthening diversity

That even a key meeting place for the gay community can be anything but inclusive was something Roger Holzapfel-Barta, CEO of Deutsche Eiche Ltd Munich, had to acknowledge a few years ago. Since then, he has actively ensured that his team in the restaurant, hotel, and bathhouse is diverse. A community that has fought for tolerance for so long must also give it back. Jens Schadendorf, economist, LGBTQ+ researcher, and author, emphasized how crucial it is for company leadership to support Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), especially given the current political climate in the US. This support could ultimately strengthen the community and bring it closer together.