It’s been three years, but finally the LGBTQ+ travel industry will be back together as a community for PROUD Experiences in New York City. Taking place at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge from June 27 to 29, 2022, this event has established a focus for the sector and a voice for international travel brands, destinations, and experiences that brings personally curated buyers and suppliers together through a pre-scheduled appointment system.

Announcing this year’s event in detail, Simon Mayle, Event Director of PROUD Experiences said, “LGBTQ+ travellers have been waiting to get back and explore the world, see friends and experience something different. Once again, we have curated this next event to be full of ideas and information for travel agents and planners to bring back to their clients around the world. With over 100 exhibitors and many new to the event, we are delighted that our return sees so many dynamic brands. It’s clear this international community is back and stronger than before.”

Global Connections

As the global visibility of this industry increases, so does the their purchasing power and the opportunities for the travel industry. Research by corporate advisory and asset management company LGBT Capital estimates that the LGBTQ+ sector has a global spending power of some $3.9 trillion. Mirroring this international opportunity, PROUD Experiences is also geographically diverse with countries from Latin America, Europe, and South Africa as well as more than 50 cities represented including Los Cabos Tourism, visitBerlin and West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board. New faces include Switzerland Tourism and Toscana Promozione Turistica.

A 2021 survey by Booking.com revealed that more than half (53%) of LGBTQ+ travellers have had less-than-welcoming or uncomfortable experiences at a property where they were staying, making PROUD Experiences pivotal to the industry with its daily programme of Masterclass sessions. Designed to deliver a dynamic range of inspirational speakers telling personal stories, giving advice on marketing best practices and explaining case studies presenting a real opportunity for the industry to switch up its business strategies.

Industry Leaders Speak OUT

Four industry leaders will join forces to talk about the changing landscape of LGBTQ+ travel. Shannon Knap, President & CEO of Leading Hotels of The World, Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride and Fred Dixon, President & CEO at NYC & Company will join Editor-in-Chief of OutTraveler Jacob Anderson-Minshall to explore what lies ahead in the year to come, from new trends to new perspectives.

Geena Rocero, is a Filipino transgender Supermodel and social advocate for transgender travel and she discusses the demands for equal rights and what’s happened since Asians spoke out. In this talk, Geena will tell her story and will touch on the issues, challenges, and opportunities she has faced on her journey as an important and high-profile social influencer.

Leading travel blogger Barry Hoy @asianmapleleaf), an Asian-Canadian who with his partner Teraj, will give their audience a view of what it’s like to be Asian, gay, and professional travellers who love “discovering and sharing new unique places to stay,” and why relying on a travel agent and private planner is important in this new era we live in.

Testimonials From Attendees

“As a leader within the LGBTQ+ community, it is an absolute pleasure to be able to reconnect with my peers within the travel & lifestyle sectors. There is so much strength within the PROUD community, combined with the energy of New York City and the renaissance that is about to take place within the travel industry. What more could one look forward to?”, commented Anton Moore, General Manager Gansevoort Meatpacking.

“Fairmont Mayakoba is honoured to be part of the leaders from the travel and lifestyle travel trade at PROUD Experiences. It is a revolutionary act that impacts people’s lives, and owning our own story is the key to being treated equally, no matter who you are, where you are, or whom you love,” commented Robert-Jan Woltering, General Manager, Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya.

“This is the perfect time for Hôtel Martinez to make its debut at PROUD Experiences. Being a leader of such an iconic hotel, I am committed to improving diversity as well as working with the inclusive City of Cannes. I am personally also part of the HyPride Commission, a group composed of international Hyatt colleagues supporting the LGBTQ+ community in our industry and beyond,” commented Yann Gillet, General Manager, Hôtel Martinez Cannes.

In Conclusion

Fred Dixon, NYC & Company’s President & CEO concludes, “We are beyond thrilled to welcome PROUD Experiences back to New York City this summer. The five boroughs are ready, and attendees can look forward to experiencing our unmatched energy, diversity and welcoming spirit. We can’t wait to showcase our unique appeal and to reaffirm NYC’s position as the ultimate LGBTQ+ destination.”

Proud Experiences – New York City – June 27 to 29, 2022

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.