
Travel agents are being offered an online training module to help them deal with gay travel enquiries.
The new specialist training mobile will be built and managed by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) tourism’s marketing firm – Out Now Global.
It follows travel agents and tour operators now accounting for more than 30% of LGBT sales in most markets globally – with the ‘pink’ pound being lucrative for travel companies.
A general LGBT awareness training module is being made available online free of charge at http://ott.travel/LGBT/home.aspx – giving practical advice for agents dealing with LGBT customers.
The new destination specific e-learning courses will be free for all travel agents who have completed this initial course.
Visit Helsinki, and Tourismus & Congress Frankfurt have become the first destination tourism offices to develop targeted training specifically for travel agents and tour operators aimed at increasing LGBT visitors to their cities.
The training modules will be launched in early 2013 in partnership with WTM exhibitor OTT, who will market the training through its database.