The LGBT+ Community Expected to Play a Big Role in Canada’s Tourism Recovery

Toronto, January 25, 2021 -A recent study by Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) shows that 90 percent of Canadian LGBT+ travellers intend to travel domestically amidst international uncertainty and represent a $12 billion leisure travel opportunity. The CGLCC has partnered with Tourism HR Canada to offer a certificate program that helps businesses realize the economic opportunity of LGBT+ travellers and build LGBT+ safe spaces across the country. The program is free from now until March 31, 2021, thanks to funding provided by the Government of Canada.

"Safety is a key consideration for the LGBT+ community when travelling. In fact, 89% of LGBT+ travellers value safety as a key consideration when choosing a travel destination,"said Darrell Schuurman, Chief Executive Officer of the LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce."It's important that businesses better understand how they can make the LGBT+ community feel safe and welcomed. It's not only the right thing to do, but it also makes good business sense."

The program is available for any customer-facing professional, management, operators and organizations/associations in the tourism industry. The online courses take less than one day to complete and all participants leave with a certificate.

When:Dates vary per region. Visitthe websiteto find a seminar in your area. The program is only free from now until March 31, 2021.

What: Certificate program and bonus seminar for tourism executives.

Certificate Program

An Introduction to LGBT+ Diversity and Inclusion (Prerequisite; 1-2 hours) AND

Navigating LGBT+ Diversity and Inclusion in the Tourism Industry (Workshop; 4 hours)

The prerequisite course is a self-paced online program that will provide a strong foundation for understanding LGBT+ identities. The following workshop is a live facilitated event on Zoom to provide an understanding of different LGBT+ communities and action items to ensure your workplace is an LGBT+ safe space. Visit the website tofind a workshop in your region. Both courses are required to receive a certificate.

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Bonus Seminar for Tourism Executives

LGBT+ Travel Market-Ready Seminar (2 hours)

This live, facilitated seminar provides exclusive LGBT+ travel market information, case studies from around the world, and exposes travel executives to a number of custom LGBT+ products to help inspire your own successful LGBT+ tourism-welcoming strategy.Register onlinefor a seminar in your region.

How:Individuals can sign up for adigital coursein their area or businesses can contacttourism@cglcc.cato organize custom workshops.

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About Tourism HR Canada

Tourism HR Canada is a pan-Canadian not-for-profit organization with a mandate aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. Tourism HR Canada facilitates, coordinates, and enables human resource development activities that support a globally competitive and sustainable industry and foster the development of a dynamic and resilient workforce. Tourism HR Canada works on behalf of all constituency groups that make up the tourism sectors labour market, including employers, labour unions, national and provincial/territorial associations, government, and equity groups.www.tourismhr.ca

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About Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce

Canadas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) links LGBT+ businesses in Canada to the wider business and corporate community. It fosters economic growth by supporting and nurturing LGBT+ businesses, entrepreneurs, students and allies, and by helping Canadas corporate world connect with the LGBT+ business community.www.cglcc.ca

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About the Project

As part of an Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)-funded initiative, Tourism HR Canada is working with its principal partner, Canadas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), to deliver a responsive, comprehensive and sustainable LGBTQ2 Tourism Market-Ready Program aimed at helping tourism businesses and communities develop a lucrative and fast-growing LGBTQ2 market.www.cglcc.ca/tourism/