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Amadeus Joins International LGBTQ+ Travel Association

By TheCSRUniverse Team Published 21 Feb 2024

Bengaluru, February 20, 2024: Amadeus, a travel technology company, has announced its membership in the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA). The move signifies the company's dedication to supporting the LGBTQ+ community worldwide.

IGLTA's mission is to provide information and resources for LGBTQ+ travelers while promoting LGBTQ+ tourism globally, recognizing its social and economic significance.

John Tanzella, President/CEO of IGLTA, welcomed Amadeus, emphasizing their shared commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ tourism. He noted the value of Amadeus' global influence and anticipated collaborative opportunities.

Amadeus has a history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights, having endorsed the United Nations Standards of Conduct for Business in 2018. Additionally, the company is a founding member of REDI, a Spanish network promoting LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace.

Within the company, Amadeus Proud, a global employee resource group where LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies can come together, is a growing space where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression is encouraged to realize their whole self, from both a personal and professional perspective.

Shalini Nair Kumar, Head of People and Culture, APAC at Amadeus, said, “Amadeus strives to make a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued. We foster a welcoming environment that attracts top talent regardless of background, positioning Amadeus as a role model for inclusivity. We run a highly functional ally program at Amadeus. We also focus on skilling and livelihood programs for the LGBTQIA+ community and enabled the opening of Pride Café last year in Bengaluru. We adapt our products to support all genders while recognizing and respecting diverse gender identities. Leverage technology like blockchain to enhance security and privacy in document identifications, develop inclusive apps and platforms to ensure options for LGBTQ+ travelers to choose from, and utilize AI to deliver hyper-personalized recommendations, all aimed at creating a welcoming travel experience for everyone. We were delighted to be part of the second annual IGLTA LGBTQ+ Travel Symposium held in New Delhi, which focused on expanding LGBTQ+ tourism in India. As the world leaders in travel technology, it continues to be our endeavor to make travel inclusive for all.”

Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer of Amadeus and executive sponsor of Amadeus Proud, reiterated the company's commitment to LGBTQ+ support, emphasizing the goal of fostering cross-cultural understanding and inclusivity.

IGLTA, established in 1983, is the leading global network of tourism businesses catering to LGBTQ+ travelers. Its members span over 80 countries and include accommodations, transport services, destinations, travel advisors, and more.