Booking.com, one of the most successful online travel companies in the world, has announced that it will sponsor Manchester Pride. This move is a concrete manifestation of the company's mission to make it simpler for people from all walks of life to travel and experience the world.
The Manchester Trips Division of Booking.com will send more than one hundred of their employees to participate in the world-famous Manchester Pride Parade and other festivities that will take place between August 25 and August 29.
The digital travel company, which will move into its new UK headquarters in Manchester in November, has promised to commemorate the occasion with a series of activities and will reveal a few surprises over the course of the weekend.
The sponsorship is an expansion of Booking.com's Travel Proud program, which works toward the goal of making traveling an experience that is more welcoming and inclusive for people who identify as LGBTQ+. More than 10,000 accommodations located all over the world have successfully completed the training program and have been awarded a Travel Proud badge by Booking.com as a representation of their dedication to providing welcoming accommodations for people with disabilities.
Recent research conducted by Booking.com discovered that 71 percent of LGBTQ+ travelers originating from the UK have encountered less than welcoming or uncomfortable experiences while traveling, and 61 percent of those same travelers reported that they need to consider their safety and wellbeing as a member of the community while they are away.
Booking.com is committed to continuing to work closely with its partners, employees, and suppliers to connect with LGBTQ+ travelers as part of its 'Travel Proud' program. Additionally, the company is actively looking for ways to reduce barriers for the community both on and off its platform. This includes empowering hospitality professionals with the self-assurance and resources necessary to use appropriate language in each and every interaction they have with their guests, as well as utilizing more inclusive language and options on the Booking.com platform itself.
Matthias Schmid, Vice President of Booking.com's Trips Division, stated that the company's mission is to make it easier for people all over the world to travel and experience new things. As a part of this, it is essential that the travel industry address the needs of LGBTQ+ travelers, ensuring that everyone has the right to explore the world as they are at all times.
"We are also extremely proud to be constructing a global hub for transportation here in Manchester, where we already employ more than a thousand people from a variety of countries and cultures. It is a thriving and welcoming community, with a significant number of people actively participating in our B.proud employee resource group, which is committed to assisting in the promotion of increased acceptance and comprehension for LGBTQ+ individuals across all levels of our organization.
"The theme for 2022's Manchester Pride Parade is going to be 'March for Peace,' and the emphasis will be placed on promoting peace in a world where everyone in the LGBTQ+ community is free to live and love without prejudice. It is wonderful to be able to support such an important charity that celebrates and promotes inclusivity in Manchester and beyond. This is something that is in perfect alignment with the values that our company holds dear.
Booking.com has been an active participant in Pride celebrations around the world for quite some time, and this year the company has active sponsorships with charities associated with Manchester Pride and New Zealand Pride. The Netherlands, which is home to the company's global headquarters, is also the location of Amsterdam Pride 2022, of which the company is the General Sponsor.
