Melia Hotels: First International Chain LGBTQ-Certified
Melia Hotels International and Queer Destinations, a company specializing in LGBTQ+ travel consultancy and training, have announced an agreement to award a number of ME by Melia hotels the Queer Destinations Committed certification. Certification is based on several standards defined by the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) to help companies and destinations better prepare to provide an appropriate and safe welcome to the LGBTQ+ travelers that represent 10% of the global travel market.
The Financial Times named Melia Hotels International one of the leading companies in diversity in Europe this year, and it continues to strengthen its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in both its hotels and corporate offices. This partnership with Queer Destinations has led to a selection of its ME by Meli luxury lifestyle hotels, including the ME Madrid and ME Cabo, to have been awarded Queer Destinations Committed certification. The hope is to also work toward certifying the Paradisus by Melia hotels in Mexico, including the Paradisus Cancún, Paradisus La Perla, and Paradisus Playa del Carmen before the end of the year. The Paradisus Los Cabos is already certified! Under the new partnership, the intenternational hotel chain is also working to have the INNSiDE New York Nomad Hotel – one of the company’s top hotels – certified as well.
The certification process will involve more than 3,000 company employees receiving the Hospitality Meets Diversity training course run this year. The Queer Destinations’ course provides training on the LGBTQ+ community, specifically our habits and preferences. The course also provides recommendations on how to improve diversity and inclusion management, human resources, operations, and marketing.
“This agreement emphasizes our desire to continue training our teams and designing innovative and responsible strategies to offer the best possible experiences to LGBTQ+ travelers and thus exceed their expectations,” said Manuel Riego, Marketing Vice President at Melia Hotels International.
Travel spending by LGBTQ+ travelers is estimated to exceed $200 billion a year, and the community is expected to reach 180 million travelers by 2030, according to the World Tourism Organization.
Oriol Pàmies, the founder of Queer Destinations, said, “since 2019 we have been working closely with Melia Hotels International to raise awareness amongst its team members. Melia’s commitment to LGBTQ+ travelers is growing, and it’s a pleasure for us to form a partnership with an international hotel chain that values the creation of diverse and inclusive spaces for everyone. This commitment is the first step in attracting LGBTQ+ travelers looking to enjoy unique experiences in safe spaces.”
Queer Destinations is the leading company in the world in the LGBTQ+ travel consultancy and training market. Through awareness programs, training and consultancy, Queer Destinations is a bridge that unites governments, destinations, and international travel companies with LGBTQ+ travelers from all over the world. It currently operates in Mexico, the United States, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Spain.
For more information about Melia Hotels International, visit their website.
