Boost your bottom line year-round. Learn how attracting LGBTQ+ travelers can solve seasonality and unlock new revenue streams for your tourism business.

The Canadian tourism landscape is vibrant and diverse, yet for 2SLGBTQIA+ travelers, the promise of a truly welcoming experience isn't always a given. While many businesses proudly display rainbow flags, genuine inclusion goes far beyond symbolic gestures. It requires a proactive shift from passive allyship to active advocacy, embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into the very fabric of operations. This commitment is not only a moral imperative but also a significant economic opportunity, as the 2SLGBTQI+ travel market in Canada alone is valued at over $12 billion annually .

Receiving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training at work is an amazing opportunity to enhance your knowledge and understanding of DEI work. But the learning doesn’t have to stop there: continuing DEI learning on your own is crucial for personal and professional growth.

Continuing this learning is a great way to enhance personal self-awareness and empathy by uncovering biases and gaps in knowledge and equip you to foster respectful and supportive relationships. It can also help you professionally, ensuring you are adept in navigating changing organizational cultures and supporting many different types of employees with a wide array of lived experiences.

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or Affinity Groups are voluntary, employee-led communities within organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by bringing together individuals with shared characteristics, interests, or experiences. These groups serve as platforms for networking, professional development, mentorship, and advocacy.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are crucial for business success in the 21st century. By fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces, organizations unlock employee potential, drive innovation, and gain a competitive advantage. DEI initiatives address systemic barriers, promote equity, and create cultures of belonging. In the Bow Valley, DEI efforts help businesses adapt to changes and remain competitive.

A set of resources to support organizations in accomplishing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work and making change within their businesses. These resources range from free, to lower cost, to full-service cost. The goal of providing these resources is to ensure every organization has the path forward to begin DEI work if they so choose, regardless of their resources.