A recent survey commissioned by World Travel Protection, a global travel risk management company, highlights the safety threats and challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ employees when traveling for business. The survey, conducted by Opinium Research this past February, surveyed 1,000 adults who travel for business at least once a year in the United States and Canada.
The survey found that a majority of business travelers (64% in the U.S., 56% in Canada) express concern about traveling to regions known to be biased against or to criminalize relationships of people who identify as homosexual or transgender. World Travel Protection notes that more than 70 countries criminalize same-sex relationships.
"We are seeing an increased backlash against the LGBTQIA+ community in many parts of the world, including here in North America, resulting in rising concerns about visiting certain regions that are unwelcoming or hostile toward the LGBTQIA+ community or that have discriminatory laws," said Frank Harrison, regional security director Americas at World Travel Protection.
The survey also revealed that work travel is widely perceived as less safe for LGBTQIA+ individuals, with half of business travelers surveyed (56% of Americans, 47% of Canadians) agreeing that traveling for work as an LGBTQIA+ employee is less safe than traveling as a heterosexual or cisgender person. A notable percentage of business travelers say they have witnessed or experienced harassment related to sexuality (22% of respondents in the U.S., 15% of those in Canada).
Despite these concerns, relatively few employees reported that their company provides information on LGBTQIA+ rights for the countries they are visiting – either to employees who have disclosed they are LGBTQIA+ (15% US, 11% Canada) or to employees who have not disclosed their sexuality (15% US, 13% Canada). Respondents (21% in the U.S., 17% in Canada) also indicate that they have seen or experienced people needing to hide their sexual orientation while traveling for work.
The survey also found that relatively few respondents feel their company provides information on LGBTQIA+ rights for the countries they are visiting, regardless of whether or not they have disclosed their sexuality to employers.
Harrison offers actionable guidance to companies looking to help keep LGBTQIA+ employees safe while traveling, including putting a comprehensive plan in place (including how to access medical support and outlining protocols for addressing any incidents that may arise), sharing pre-trip guidance with all employees, letting employees decide whether or not to travel, fostering an inclusive and accepting culture in the workplace, and leaning on travel risk management experts to understand the known risks at every location.
"By understanding the unique risks and providing targeted support, companies can help mitigate the challenges LGBTQIA+ travelers face and promote a safer, more inclusive travel experience," Harrison said.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by World Travel Protection. It has been fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
