Identifying and evaluating challenges and barriers to tourism participation among transgender groups
Author: Gabriela Lima Brito
0 Commentries
Abstract
This study focuses on identifying barriers and challenges faced by transgender people regarding their participation in tourism and how certain challenges are being minimised as different sectors in the tourism industry progress towards inclusivity. With a specific focus on airport security systems, cultural barriers, and trans people mobility, as part of the secondary research conducted for this study, the most common barriers for travel identified were TSA procedures in airports, being misgendered, and experiencing harassment. In light of recent bans and bills being made around the world on LGBTQ+ rights, this study attempts to identify solutions to minimise barriers to travel.
Key Words
Transgender, Barriers to Travel, Cultural Competency, LGBTQ+ Tourism
Discussion
Within the travel and tourism industry, the transgender community can be considered a more vulnerable group compared to others, wherein the most serious intrapersonal barriers are those brought on by fear of prejudice or violence. Social stigma is directly linked to the barriers trans individuals deal with in the tourism industry. Some trans people report experiencing higher levels of fear and panic in public places (WC, beaches, pools, etc.) where their gender dissidence is more evident and considered ‘socially problematic’. This is particularly evident in the tourism industry, where transgender persons may feel more exposed due to the heteronormative public gaze and potential consequences resulting from it (Monterrubio et al, 2020). Male and female transgender people have distinct limitations, so there are differences between them that should be considered. Because of cisgenderism, transphobia, and typical gender patriarchal relations, trans women commonly face injustices in terms of safety conditions, access to opportunities, and usage of public space. This is often more apparent with women of colour who tend to experience a higher level of vulnerability within these categories. However, the constraints of trans men can be lessened because of the change in their social status, which typically includes a broader sense of masculine power and control of public situations. With this, some individuals within this group may deal with higher levels of disturbances depending on their demographic.
In discussing situations within the travel industry regarding social justice, equity and civil rights, the acknowledgment of LGBTQ+ people is extremely relevant, given that fair representation in tourist development and marketing is related to LGBTQ+ community inclusion. This includes underrepresented groups in the active development process while retaining fair representation between parties which could change the power dynamics that disadvantageous groups are excluded from. Moreover, cultural competency comes into play when people are actively engaging with diverse environments, and therefore, the lack of cultural competency generates lower ability to accept and understand diverse populations (Wilkinson, 2014) which ultimately results in cultural barriers and misunderstanding. Additionally, the gender of a person affects their mobility in terms of public transit, which means that while travelling, mobility disparities may become a big aspect, given that public places are designed to uphold heteronormative gender hierarchies.
Recent discussions regarding different policies around the world about LGBTQ+ rights can have repercussions on trans people’s health care, inevitably affecting mobility for the transgender community. Restricting protected and allied spaces could place more pressure in considering overall wellbeing and safety when travelling. The tourism industry, tour operators, travel agencies, etc., could consider these new bills and policies being implemented, providing awareness of where society has developed in a way that welcomes and cares for the transgender community considering these upcoming and potentially restrictive regulations. This could help to avoid potentially harmful events and, eventually, to develop closer ties with customers, influencing the process of mobility.
Some of the most unfavourable circumstances coincide with plane travel where strict body checks and examinations take place (The Washington Post, 2023), along with chances of being misgendered if their passport does not match what the individual looks like. Changes in the airline business addressing gender and how passengers can be identified when flying without having to pick between two sexes could ease future flyers and lessen anxiety. Some examples of airlines who aided in altering the system for ticket purchase where more than 2 options of gender were available include Untied Airlines, JetBlue and Delta. These small but effective changes create a positive contribution to air travel inclusivity, given the often unpleasant experiences of being misgendered, harassed and discriminated against when travelling. Although some underlying issues in the travel industry may be based on heteronormative societal norms, travel and transportation organisations would stand to benefit from continuing to educate staff on gender studies and gender identity to avoid raising misgendering concerns and taking safety into account. Although trans and gender non-conforming people are prone to meet roadblocks and frustrating situations, the overall experience of travelling and being a traveller within the trans community is informative and inspiring for many individuals who look for safe and friendly places to visit.
In conclusion, societal pressures within heteronormative and patriarchal systems and cultural barriers are still prominent in today’s society, affecting trans people’s mobility to travel. However, different sectors within the tourism industry are affecting positive changes and airports are amongst the intermediate spaces responsible for advocating for trans rights. Although there is a long way to go regarding inequalities in travel, small positive changes serve as motivators to improve mobility, reduce barriers to create safer travel experiences for minority groups within the LGBTQ+ community.
References
Monterrubio, C., Mendoza-Ontiveros, M.M., Madera, S.L.R. and Perez, J. (2020) Tourism constraints on transgender individuals in Mexico. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 1-14. Available from https://lacc.fiu.edu/publications/reach/5-tourism-constraints.pdf [accessed 13 May 2023].
.
The Washington Post (2023) What it’s like to travel as a transgender woman. The Washington Post. Available from https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/04/23/transgender-tsa-pat-down/ [accessed 15 May 2023].
.
Wilkinson, W. (2014) Cultural Competency. Transgender Studies Quarterly, 1(1-2), 68-73. Available from https://read.dukeupress.edu/tsq/article/1/1-2/68/92030/Cultural-Competency [accessed 18 May 2023].
This study focuses on identifying barriers and challenges faced by transgender people regarding their participation in tourism and how certain challenges are being minimised as different sectors in the tourism industry progress towards inclusivity. With a specific focus on airport security systems, cultural barriers, and trans people mobility, as part of the secondary research conducted for this study, the most common barriers for travel identified were TSA procedures in airports, being misgendered, and experiencing harassment. In light of recent bans and bills being made around the world on LGBTQ+ rights, this study attempts to identify solutions to minimise barriers to travel.
Key Words
Transgender, Barriers to Travel, Cultural Competency, LGBTQ+ Tourism
Discussion
Within the travel and tourism industry, the transgender community can be considered a more vulnerable group compared to others, wherein the most serious intrapersonal barriers are those brought on by fear of prejudice or violence. Social stigma is directly linked to the barriers trans individuals deal with in the tourism industry. Some trans people report experiencing higher levels of fear and panic in public places (WC, beaches, pools, etc.) where their gender dissidence is more evident and considered ‘socially problematic’. This is particularly evident in the tourism industry, where transgender persons may feel more exposed due to the heteronormative public gaze and potential consequences resulting from it (Monterrubio et al, 2020). Male and female transgender people have distinct limitations, so there are differences between them that should be considered. Because of cisgenderism, transphobia, and typical gender patriarchal relations, trans women commonly face injustices in terms of safety conditions, access to opportunities, and usage of public space. This is often more apparent with women of colour who tend to experience a higher level of vulnerability within these categories. However, the constraints of trans men can be lessened because of the change in their social status, which typically includes a broader sense of masculine power and control of public situations. With this, some individuals within this group may deal with higher levels of disturbances depending on their demographic.
In discussing situations within the travel industry regarding social justice, equity and civil rights, the acknowledgment of LGBTQ+ people is extremely relevant, given that fair representation in tourist development and marketing is related to LGBTQ+ community inclusion. This includes underrepresented groups in the active development process while retaining fair representation between parties which could change the power dynamics that disadvantageous groups are excluded from. Moreover, cultural competency comes into play when people are actively engaging with diverse environments, and therefore, the lack of cultural competency generates lower ability to accept and understand diverse populations (Wilkinson, 2014) which ultimately results in cultural barriers and misunderstanding. Additionally, the gender of a person affects their mobility in terms of public transit, which means that while travelling, mobility disparities may become a big aspect, given that public places are designed to uphold heteronormative gender hierarchies.
Recent discussions regarding different policies around the world about LGBTQ+ rights can have repercussions on trans people’s health care, inevitably affecting mobility for the transgender community. Restricting protected and allied spaces could place more pressure in considering overall wellbeing and safety when travelling. The tourism industry, tour operators, travel agencies, etc., could consider these new bills and policies being implemented, providing awareness of where society has developed in a way that welcomes and cares for the transgender community considering these upcoming and potentially restrictive regulations. This could help to avoid potentially harmful events and, eventually, to develop closer ties with customers, influencing the process of mobility.
Some of the most unfavourable circumstances coincide with plane travel where strict body checks and examinations take place (The Washington Post, 2023), along with chances of being misgendered if their passport does not match what the individual looks like. Changes in the airline business addressing gender and how passengers can be identified when flying without having to pick between two sexes could ease future flyers and lessen anxiety. Some examples of airlines who aided in altering the system for ticket purchase where more than 2 options of gender were available include Untied Airlines, JetBlue and Delta. These small but effective changes create a positive contribution to air travel inclusivity, given the often unpleasant experiences of being misgendered, harassed and discriminated against when travelling. Although some underlying issues in the travel industry may be based on heteronormative societal norms, travel and transportation organisations would stand to benefit from continuing to educate staff on gender studies and gender identity to avoid raising misgendering concerns and taking safety into account. Although trans and gender non-conforming people are prone to meet roadblocks and frustrating situations, the overall experience of travelling and being a traveller within the trans community is informative and inspiring for many individuals who look for safe and friendly places to visit.
In conclusion, societal pressures within heteronormative and patriarchal systems and cultural barriers are still prominent in today’s society, affecting trans people’s mobility to travel. However, different sectors within the tourism industry are affecting positive changes and airports are amongst the intermediate spaces responsible for advocating for trans rights. Although there is a long way to go regarding inequalities in travel, small positive changes serve as motivators to improve mobility, reduce barriers to create safer travel experiences for minority groups within the LGBTQ+ community.
References
Monterrubio, C., Mendoza-Ontiveros, M.M., Madera, S.L.R. and Perez, J. (2020) Tourism constraints on transgender individuals in Mexico. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 1-14. Available from https://lacc.fiu.edu/publications/reach/5-tourism-constraints.pdf [accessed 13 May 2023].
.
The Washington Post (2023) What it’s like to travel as a transgender woman. The Washington Post. Available from https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/04/23/transgender-tsa-pat-down/ [accessed 15 May 2023].
.
Wilkinson, W. (2014) Cultural Competency. Transgender Studies Quarterly, 1(1-2), 68-73. Available from https://read.dukeupress.edu/tsq/article/1/1-2/68/92030/Cultural-Competency [accessed 18 May 2023].