A DECADE OF EQUALITY

A Decade of equality, a lifetime of love: Kuoni launches its first LGBTQ+ honeymoon report

From the Seychelles to Sicily, for the past ten years destinations around the world have been welcoming LGBTQ+ couples on their honeymoon - ever since legislation was passed on 17 July 2013 to allow samesex couples in England and Wales to marry.

To celebrate the milestone anniversary, worldwide travel company Kuoni has launched its first report celebrating 10 years of marriage equality.

The report shows that the world is welcoming newly married LGBTQ+ couples and favourite honeymoon choices over the past ten years include Greece, Italy, Canada, the USA, Australia and Thailand.

And another trend is emerging too – destinations such as the Maldives, Dubai, the Caribbean and East Africa frequently appear on the honeymoon wish list which shows that even in places where same-sex partnerships are not condoned, couples will choose places based on their own preferences, research and advice from trusted travel experts.

The report also highlights countries which have taken steps to be more LGBTQ+ positive in the past ten years. Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis and Singapore repealed anti-gay legislation and it’s hoped Sri Lanka is moving that way this year. New polling data commissioned by Kuoni as part of the report indicates some couples are still hesitant about ticking bucket-list destinations off their list though due to concerns about negative reactions to their LGBTQ+ identity, which emphasises the importance of having advice from trusted travel experts and fostering LGBTQ+ inclusivity worldwide.

Kuoni’s research revealed 44% of LGBTQ+ travellers prioritise the overall destination experience regardless of feelings towards LGBTQ+ people.

The data further reveals that 57% of respondents actively seek out LGBTQ+ friendly destinations, with many same-sex couples planning a honeymoon having done their own research before they speak to a travel company.

Kuoni’s own insight and data demonstrates an increasing desire amongst LGBTQ+ couples to explore diverse destinations including those traditionally considered less LGBTQ+ friendly, so they’re able to celebrate their love without barriers. As part of its drive towards inclusivity Kuoni is introducing the ‘Kuoni Promise’ – a commitment to providing exceptional service for everyone throughout their honeymoon journey and beyond. The new Promise is underpinned by the company’s long-standing dedication to LGBTQ+ inclusivity and its track record in providing unforgettable travel experiences.

The Promise acknowledges the diverse nature of Kuoni’s clients, and showcases commitments including a promise to listen, respect choices, and collectively share travel expertise to empower customers in making informed decisions. The report showcases real-life case studies and testimonials from LGBTQ+ individuals who have chosen Kuoni for their honeymoon travel, highlighting how Kuoni goes above and beyond to understand and cater to the needs and desires of LGBTQ+ honeymooners.

A key trend is privacy and exclusivity, with many LGBTQ+ couples have identified private villas as their preferred choice of accommodation, potentially to ensure privacy in countries without true marriage equality. A large quantity at 56% of respondents stated that it was either important or extremely important to have LGBTQ+ inclusive accommodation while travelling. This finding highlights the desire for inclusive spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals can feel comfortable, valued, and supported.

By releasing the report Kuoni aims to celebrate the diversity of honeymoon experiences, whilst at the same time raising awareness about the challenges still faced by LGBTQ+ honeymooners who want to explore and enjoy the world. The report not only celebrates the progress made in the last decade but also serves as a roadmap for the future, ensuring that LGBTQ+ couples can embark on their honeymoon journeys with confidence and joy.

The LGBTQ+ community also stated on the poll that they would likely recommend LGBTQ+ inclusive travel services to their friends or community, a resounding 64% of respondents expressed likelihood or extreme likelihood. This demonstrates the positive reputation and trust that LGBTQ+ travellers place in specialised travel services tailored to their community. Mark Duguid, managing director of Kuoni, said: “With LGBTQ+ travel, the talk can often turn reactive quite quickly – boycotting certain destinations and so on. In reality the conversation is much more nuanced than that, so we give our customers the information to make educated choices and navigate those issues in a very individual way with our staff. And we can have those chats because many of those staff have experienced those destinations themselves.”

“We want to inspire confidence with LGBTQ+ honeymooners that they can trust Kuoni to provide exceptional service, inclusive experiences and expert guidance every step of the way.”