LGBT Tourism

Hotel Industry and Local Community Perceptions and Attitude

  • Sónia Sousa-Silva ESHT, IPCA, Barcelos, Portugal
  • Laurentina Vareiro ESG/ESHT, IPCA, UNIAG, Barcelos, Portugal
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34624/ijmis.v1i2.33712
Keywords: Discrimination, Hospitality, LGBT tourism, Northern Portugal, Stakeholders

Abstract

In ​​tourism, the achievement of acceptance, freedom of expression, equal rights, and respect in various destinations and public spaces has stimulated growing interest from companies and destinations, reinforced by the strong purchasing power and the availability for more frequent trips by LGBT community (Baxter, 2010; WTO, 2017). For a destination that aims to attract and build a strong relationship with the LGBT market, it is vital, regardless of their motivation, to offer a safe and welcoming environment, interacting with understanding and respect. This study analyses the North of Portugal stakeholders' attitudes and perceptions, particularly the hotel industry and the local community, towards the LGBT tourism/market. By conducting two separate studies that complement each other, it was concluded that the region has the right conditions to engage in LGBT tourism and captivate this market segment, but for this, there are still slight prejudices that must be corrected.

 

Author Biography

Sónia Sousa-Silva, ESHT, IPCA, Barcelos, Portugal

In ​​tourism, the achievement of acceptance, freedom of expression, equal rights, and respect in various destinations and public spaces has stimulated growing interest from companies and destinations, reinforced by the strong purchasing power and the availability for more frequent trips by LGBT community (Baxter, 2010; WTO, 2017). For a destination that aims to attract and build a strong relationship with the LGBT market, it is vital, regardless of their motivation, to offer a safe and welcoming environment, interacting with understanding and respect. This study analyses the North of Portugal stakeholders' attitudes and perceptions, particularly the hotel industry and the local community, towards the LGBT tourism/market. By conducting two separate studies that complement each other, it was concluded that the region has the right conditions to engage in LGBT tourism and captivate this market segment, but for this, there are still slight prejudices that must be corrected.

 

Published
2023-10-25
How to Cite
Sousa-Silva, S., & Vareiro, L. (2023). LGBT Tourism. International Journal of Marketing, Innovation and Strategy, 1(2), 113-121. https://doi.org/10.34624/ijmis.v1i2.33712
Issue
Vol 1 No 2 (2023)
Section
Articles

Copyright (c) 2023 According to CC Attribution 4.0.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0.