CANADIAN GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Published purpose

This project proposal aims to support local & regional economic development, while positioning tourism destinations & businesses as welcoming & inclusive places to visit. This project aims to support local/regional tourism destinations & businesses successfully enter & grow the LGBTQ2+ travel market. The primary objectives are to increase the number, & develop a sustainable network, of tourism businesses & communities that have market ready products & services that meet the demands and expectations of the LGBTQ2+ traveler. Further, the project aims to Increase Southern Ontario’s profile as a premier tourism destination for the LGBTQ2+ travel market and to increase the number of LGBTQ2+ visitors & subsequent tourism receipts. Finally, the project aims to contribute to the increase of tourism jobs for unemployed/underemployed people within the sector. Projected outcomes of this project include: 300 people trained & certified in LGBTQ2+ Inclusion; 20 market information workshops delivered; 6 destination audits completed; and, 250 businesses accredited in inclusivity tourism as outlined above. The main activities of the project include: outreach & industry consultation to engage local/regional stakeholders; the delivery of destination audits & assessments to identify products & services offered by the destination and identify what is needed to further develop & grow the market; conduct LGBTQ2+ travel market seminars and diversity & inclusion workshops to increase education & capacity building of the tourism industry. Also, an activity of this project is to review & recognize (accreditation) of those businesses & destinations that have clearly demonstrated inclusive policies & practices & meet set industry standards as trained through this project. The activities in this project are expected to drive greater LGBTQ2 travelers to the region, resulting in greater support for LGBTQ2+ owned & allied businesses.