Travellers should ‘punish’ countries that fail on inclusivity, says Queer Destinations chief

Queer Destinations chief executive Edgar Weggelaar has said travellers should “punish” countries that fail to protect diversity and inclusivity, arguing they should visit more welcoming places instead.

During a panel discussion at WTM London 2025, Weggelaar highlighted the number of homophobic incidents in the US and called on the industry to be more selective in their support of destinations.

“We need to think about punishing the places where we’re not welcome,” he said. “I would say to people, ‘Come to places where you feel comfortable and everyone wants you’.”

He added: “It’s important to decide which brand you buy, not just for holidays but with everything – it has to have a purpose. If they don’t want us, don’t give them any attention.”

Intrepid Travel UK and Ireland general manager Joanna Reeve agreed that travel companies should study their supply chains and choose “value-aligned partners”.

“Looking at what businesses you’re supporting,” she said, adding that travel has the potential to overcome the “polarised” world that exists.

“Travel is one of the big ways we can bring people together so there is less of ‘us and them’ and more ‘us’,” she said.

Inclu Group chief executive Richard Thompson said many hotels’ websites continue to lack information about accessible rooms.

“Disabled people are gambling tens of thousands of pounds before they leave home to go on holiday,” he said, pointing to the short supply of crucial information.

He encouraged companies not to be “frightened” of making trips more accessible.

“Take the first step, get excited about disability and start realising the reality that this is the last untapped market,” he said, adding: “Accessibility is not about disability – it’s about barriers.”

The panellists were speaking at the session ‘Everyone’s welcome, or are they?’.