Chasing the rainbow: Exploring the challenging experiences of LGBT tourists
Author: Clara Rowe
1 Commentries
Abstract: This research paper provides an insight into the experiences of LGBT tourists including the issues regarding the lack of LGBT representation in the tourism industry, safety concerns and attitudes towards the LGBT community when travelling. In addition to a review of existing literature, primary research is used to provide insight into LGBT tourism experiences from the perspective of a lesbian traveller to supplement the lack of literature investigation lesbian tourists.
Keywords: LGBT, Tourism, Sexuality, Gender, Discrimination, Representation
Although the LGBT market is becoming widely acknowledged as a valuable economic market, the experiences of LGBT tourists are commonly overlooked in tourism academia (Poria, 2006). The economic value of the LGBT market is often referred to in research as the ‘pink dollar’ and ‘pinkwashing’ refers to the adaption of business practices to attract the LGBT market. However, in order to attract LGBT tourists, tourism providers must understand the experiences of LGBT tourists to adapt tourism offerings to attract LGBT tourists and improve the experiences of LGBT tourists by reducing discrimination based on gender or sexuality.
Most research regarding LGBT travel focuses on the economic benefit of attracting LGBT tourists, but little research is focused on improving LGBT tourist experiences. The academic research that does exist is often centred on gay men who only account for one segment of the LGBT market and there is a significant gap in knowledge concerning the travel preferences and experiences of lesbian, bisexual and transgender tourists (Hughes, 2006). Although factors affecting the tourist experience often differ for LGBT tourists who are faced with adapting to different cultures attitudes towards LGBT communities. Poria (2006) highlights this difference in experiences by explaining the different treatments that LGBT tourists receive from staff and other residents when staying as guests in hotels. However, the most prominent issue regarding LGBT tourism is the safety concerns for LGBT tourists travelling internationally in countries that criminalise homosexuality or transgender rights.
The primary research comprised of 1 semi-structured interview of a lesbian tourist, to supplement the lack of LGBT research regarding lesbian tourists. The interview revealed some of the experiences and challenges faced when travelling that are unique to LGBT tourists. The participant also revealed coping strategies used by LGBT tourists to minimise and manage some of the negative experiences when travelling. A key finding from the interview was the participant’s feelings of ‘not fitting in’ due to the lack of LGBT representation in certain destinations which are heavily concentrated with heterosexual couples. Hughes (2006) refers to spaces with LGBT representation as ‘gay spaces’ whereby there is a concentration of LGBT bars and clubs. These spaces are important in tourism destinations for LGBT tourists and therefore, Jong (2017) emphasises the importance of LGBT tourism and incorporating more LGBT events and activities into the industry to improve the experiences of LGBT tourists. The participant also revealed the discomfort of disclosing one’s sexuality when travelling, even in destinations where homosexuality is legal due to varying cultural attitudes towards LGBT individuals. The participant mentioned that she would lie about her relationship with her partner as a coping strategy to avoid or minimise any judgement from staff or residents when travelling. This shows the importance of staff and locals’ attitudes towards LGBT tourists as highlighted in previous literature (Poria, 2006).
LGBT tourists are often underrepresented and disadvantaged in the tourism industry both in academia and within destinations.
In summary, this paper highlights some of the negative experiences witnessed by LGBT tourists, and therefore, this paper acts as guidance to those working in the tourism industry, who need to address the issues associated with LGBT travel to make tourism a more inclusive industry that is both accessible and welcoming to diverse groups of tourists. Before the tourism industry can profit from the LGBT market, more research and work must be invested to make destinations more LGBT friendly, reduce discrimination, and improve the experiences of LGBT tourists.
References:
Hughes, H.L. (2006) Lesbians as tourists: Poor relations of a poor relation. Tourism and Hospitality Research. 7(1):17-26. Available from https://journals-sagepubcom.proxy.library.lincoln.ac.uk/doi/pdf/10.1057/palgrave.thr.6050032 [Accessed 9/5/2020]
Jong, D.A. (2017) Rethinking activism: tourism, mobilities and emotion. Social & Cultural Geography, 18(6) 851–868. Available from https://www-tandfonlinecom.proxy.library.lincoln.ac.uk/doi/pdf/10.1080/14649365.2016.1239754?needAccess=true [Accessed 13/4/2020]
Poria, Y. (2006) Assessing Gay Men and Lesbian Women’s Hotel Experiences: An Exploratory Study of Sexual Orientation in the Travel Industry. Journal of Travel Research, 44(3) 327-334. Available from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.906.3974&rep=rep1&type=pdf [Accessed 2/5/2020]
Keywords: LGBT, Tourism, Sexuality, Gender, Discrimination, Representation
Although the LGBT market is becoming widely acknowledged as a valuable economic market, the experiences of LGBT tourists are commonly overlooked in tourism academia (Poria, 2006). The economic value of the LGBT market is often referred to in research as the ‘pink dollar’ and ‘pinkwashing’ refers to the adaption of business practices to attract the LGBT market. However, in order to attract LGBT tourists, tourism providers must understand the experiences of LGBT tourists to adapt tourism offerings to attract LGBT tourists and improve the experiences of LGBT tourists by reducing discrimination based on gender or sexuality.
Most research regarding LGBT travel focuses on the economic benefit of attracting LGBT tourists, but little research is focused on improving LGBT tourist experiences. The academic research that does exist is often centred on gay men who only account for one segment of the LGBT market and there is a significant gap in knowledge concerning the travel preferences and experiences of lesbian, bisexual and transgender tourists (Hughes, 2006). Although factors affecting the tourist experience often differ for LGBT tourists who are faced with adapting to different cultures attitudes towards LGBT communities. Poria (2006) highlights this difference in experiences by explaining the different treatments that LGBT tourists receive from staff and other residents when staying as guests in hotels. However, the most prominent issue regarding LGBT tourism is the safety concerns for LGBT tourists travelling internationally in countries that criminalise homosexuality or transgender rights.
The primary research comprised of 1 semi-structured interview of a lesbian tourist, to supplement the lack of LGBT research regarding lesbian tourists. The interview revealed some of the experiences and challenges faced when travelling that are unique to LGBT tourists. The participant also revealed coping strategies used by LGBT tourists to minimise and manage some of the negative experiences when travelling. A key finding from the interview was the participant’s feelings of ‘not fitting in’ due to the lack of LGBT representation in certain destinations which are heavily concentrated with heterosexual couples. Hughes (2006) refers to spaces with LGBT representation as ‘gay spaces’ whereby there is a concentration of LGBT bars and clubs. These spaces are important in tourism destinations for LGBT tourists and therefore, Jong (2017) emphasises the importance of LGBT tourism and incorporating more LGBT events and activities into the industry to improve the experiences of LGBT tourists. The participant also revealed the discomfort of disclosing one’s sexuality when travelling, even in destinations where homosexuality is legal due to varying cultural attitudes towards LGBT individuals. The participant mentioned that she would lie about her relationship with her partner as a coping strategy to avoid or minimise any judgement from staff or residents when travelling. This shows the importance of staff and locals’ attitudes towards LGBT tourists as highlighted in previous literature (Poria, 2006).
LGBT tourists are often underrepresented and disadvantaged in the tourism industry both in academia and within destinations.
In summary, this paper highlights some of the negative experiences witnessed by LGBT tourists, and therefore, this paper acts as guidance to those working in the tourism industry, who need to address the issues associated with LGBT travel to make tourism a more inclusive industry that is both accessible and welcoming to diverse groups of tourists. Before the tourism industry can profit from the LGBT market, more research and work must be invested to make destinations more LGBT friendly, reduce discrimination, and improve the experiences of LGBT tourists.
References:
Hughes, H.L. (2006) Lesbians as tourists: Poor relations of a poor relation. Tourism and Hospitality Research. 7(1):17-26. Available from https://journals-sagepubcom.proxy.library.lincoln.ac.uk/doi/pdf/10.1057/palgrave.thr.6050032 [Accessed 9/5/2020]
Jong, D.A. (2017) Rethinking activism: tourism, mobilities and emotion. Social & Cultural Geography, 18(6) 851–868. Available from https://www-tandfonlinecom.proxy.library.lincoln.ac.uk/doi/pdf/10.1080/14649365.2016.1239754?needAccess=true [Accessed 13/4/2020]
Poria, Y. (2006) Assessing Gay Men and Lesbian Women’s Hotel Experiences: An Exploratory Study of Sexual Orientation in the Travel Industry. Journal of Travel Research, 44(3) 327-334. Available from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.906.3974&rep=rep1&type=pdf [Accessed 2/5/2020]