Despite growing awareness for LGBTQ+ rights over the recent years, when it comes to business travel, many organisations are still falling short in offering the safety and support their LGBTQ+ employees needs.
A new survey* of global business travellers reveals a crucial gap in corporate support, with only 13% of travellers agreeing that their organisation provides LGBTQ+ specific pre-travel information before they head abroad. Surprisingly, this result mirrors last year’s findings, highlighting no significant progress in the past year. This lack of proactive support from employers to their LGBTQ+ travellers leaves them vulnerable to safety risks, harassment, and discrimination, especially in countries where their rights may not be recognised or protected.
As organisations work to build more inclusive, supportive, and safe environments for their all employees, incorporating LGBTQ+ considerations into travel risk management frameworks is an essential first step.
LGBTQ+ travellers feel less safe when abroad
The survey also revealed that more than half (52%) of business travellers agree that travelling for work as a member of the LGBTQ+ community feels less safe compared to their heterosexual or cisgender colleagues. This sense of vulnerability is further amplified by the reality that in many parts of the world, discriminatory laws and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals persist.
Frank Harrison, Regional Security Director Americas at World Travel Protection, shares that organisations must recognise the specific risks and concerns that LGBTQ+ business travellers face and ensure they feel supported and safe. “When sending LGBTQ+ employees to parts of the world where their rights are not fully recognised by the host government, there needs to be a plan in place to support them,” he adds.
What organisations can do to better support LGBTQ+ travellers
With this year’s survey results showing no progress from previous years, organisations need to make it a priority to act and support their LGBTQ+ travellers. Here are some actionable steps organisations can take to improve safety and inclusivity for their travellers:
1. Provide complete pre-travel information to all employees through a comprehensive and clear plan
LGBTQ+ specific pre-travel information and training should not be limited to those who have openly disclosed their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Organisations should include LGBTQ+ destination-specific risks for all employees. This includes guidance on accessing medical support (especially in locations where care may be refused to LGBTQ+ individuals), and clear protocols for handling incidents of harassment or discrimination.
By giving all travellers this essential information upfront, organisations can ensure everyone has the facts and resources they need, remove assumptions about who requires this information, and foster an environment where all travellers feel equally supported, prepared and empowered no matter where they go.
2. Empower employees to make decisions
After receiving their pre-travel awareness briefing, employees may decide that it is unsafe for them to visit certain countries. Organisations should honour these decisions, encourage open dialogue, and offer alternative travel options when necessary. This approach prioritises employee well-being and fosters a culture of safety and respect.
3. Access 24/7 monitoring and risk intelligence technology
Travel risk management companies, such as World Travel Protection, play a crucial role in helping organisations mitigate the risks their employees face while travelling.
Whether through a subscription or consulting services, World Travel Protection’s team of in-house medical and security experts along with the Travel Assist portal and app, help mitigate risks, monitor crises in real-time, and provide around-the-clock support. This includes providing pre-trip intelligence, such as detailed destination risk assessments, and resources tailored to the needs of LGBTQ+ travellers. This type of education and training can be provided both virtually and in person.
By leveraging this expertise, organisations can stay informed of evolving risks in specific regions and equip their travellers with the right information to stay safe.
4. Measure and adapt
To ensure ongoing progress, organisations should regularly gather feedback from LGBTQ+ travellers about their experiences and challenges before, during, and after their trips.
Monitoring the effectiveness of policies and pre-travel training, tracking incident reports, and staying informed about changes in LGBTQ+ rights and risks allows organisations to continuously improve their travel safety measures and create a more inclusive travel experience.
How World Travel Protection can help you travel safely
At World Travel Protection, we’re committed to helping organisations build safer, more inclusive travel environments for all employees. Our comprehensive travel risk management solutions include specialised LGBTQ+ training and traveller data, giving organisations crucial insights such as an overview of the legal frameworks surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in each destination, social attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals and events, and practical guidance on what travellers can expect. By equipping organisations with this detailed knowledge, we empower LGBTQ+ employees to travel safer, more informed, and with greater confidence.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you implement inclusive, proactive policies for all travellers, no matter where they go.
*Opinium Research carried out an online survey with 2000 people in February 2025, amongst people who travel for business at least once a year in each of the UK (500 respondents), the United States (500 respondents), Canada (500 respondents) and Australia (500 respondents).
