Reed Travel Exhibitions launches LGBTQ+ event

The largest international B2B event dedicated to LGBTQ+ travel and leisure, PROUD Experiences, is set to take place in London’s Saatchi Gallery from June 6-8.

Organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions, the two-day event will bring together buyers and suppliers of travel experiences through a pre-scheduled appointment system.

Show director, Gareth Baguley, said the LGBTQ+ tourism and travel industry is finally getting the attention it deserves.

“PROUD Experiences will bring out the issues, opportunities, solutions and debate that surrounds this demanding sector. We hope this show will break down the barriers that sometimes make it difficult to ask all those important questions about LGBTQ+ travel."

A number of major travel brands are set to take part, including AVRA Tours, Belmond, Conrad and Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, One Fine Stay, and Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

A series of workshops, presentations and debates will also examine the challenges same-sex couples, bisexual and transgender travellers face while on the road. Led by some of the industry’s leading voices and representatives of the LGBTQ+ travel community, all sessions will be open to buyers and suppliers throughout the event. 

The event will seek to address the following themes:

• Contradictions within the Asian LGBTQ+ market, particularly in the lead-up to the 2020 Gay Games in Hong Kong
• How to service the LGTBQ customer with insights from travel brands that have excelled in this area
• Lessons on marketing to LGTBQ customers from brands outside of the travel industry
• Emerging markets and new travel products aimed at transgender travellers.

Baguley added: “By bringing the world’s biggest tourism brands, destinations, products and services together with highly qualified buyers from the biggest source markets around the world — not only do we plan to provide an environment to do great business but to help this burgeoning industry mature even future.”