For many LGBTQIA+ travelers, choosing a vacation rental that feels welcoming and accepting is a top priority. Could you be making potential guests feel unwelcome or uncomfortable without even realizing it? In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how you can better serve all guests by creating an LGBT-friendly Airbnb.

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The Importance of Making All Travelers Feel Welcome

Regardless of your target audience, making everyone feel welcome at your vacation rental is essential. After all, travelers should be able to relax and enjoy their time away from home without worrying about whether or not they’ll be accepted.

Ways to Create an LGBT0friendly Airbnb

Here are some quick and easy tips to make an LGBT-friendly: Airbnb

Use inclusive language when describing your rental.

Avoid terms like “a perfect stay for a husband and wife” in your listing description. Instead, try a phrase like “a romantic stay for all honeymooners.” Additionally, a small gesture that can go a long way is including your pronouns in your first message to your guests.

List your property on LGBTQA+ friendly sites

If you’re looking to attract LGBTQA+ travelers, list your rental on LGBTQA+ friendly sites like  Misterb&b and Fabstayz. Both of these platforms are geared towards the LGBTQA+ community and will help increase the visibility of your rental. By listing your property on these sites, you’ll be able to reach a whole new audience of potential guests.

Display rainbow pride flags or other symbols of support

Display the colors of the LGBTQA+ community at your rental property and on your website. This will let your guests know that they will be treated with dignity and respect.

This can be as simple as the flag pride emoji on your listing or including a pride pin on a corkboard or a small magnet on your fridge. You can find rainbow pride flags and other LGBTQA+ symbols at most stores that sell flag supplies or online.

Promote local LGBTQ events happening during guests’ stay

Make sure to promote any local LGBTQ events happening during guests’ stay. This way, they can feel welcome and included in the community and have a great time while they’re here.

In addition to promoting local LGBTQ events, you can also include information about LGBTQ-friendly businesses in your area within your house manual or welcome basket. This could be anything from restaurants and bars to shops and clubs. By providing this information, you’re letting your guests know that they’re welcome here and that you’re open to all visitors.

How Making Your Rental More Inclusive Can Benefit Your Business

Not only is it the right thing to do, but making your rental more inclusive can also benefit your business.

LGBTQ guests have spending power

As the global travel industry becomes more accepting, members of the LGBTQA+ community are asserting their spending power when it comes to travel. In the U.S. alone, LGBTQA+ travelers have been estimated to wield $100 billion in travel spending power annually, according to a study shared by Forbes.

Moreover, this trend is only expected to grow. A 2021 survey by the same group shows that 36% out of a group of 6,300 LGBTQA+ travelers from across the world planned to stay in vacation rentals instead of hotels or resorts in 2021. This is an opportunity for property owners and vacation rental managers to tap into a traditionally underserved market.

You’re likely to get repeat guests

One of the great things about catering to LGBTQA+ travelers is that you’re likely to get repeat guests. This community loves to travel, and they have a tendency to return to the same places year after year.

So if you make them feel welcome and comfortable, you’ll probably see them again (and again, and again) – and that’s good news for your business! But, of course, it’s not just about getting repeat guests. It’s also about attracting new guests. If you provide a safe and welcoming environment to guests, they’re more likely to share their experiences with their friends within the community and share your accommodations as a safe place to stay.

Things to Avoid Doing that Could Alienate Potential Guests

Of course, there are also some things you’ll want to avoid doing that could make LGBTQIA+ travelers feel unwelcome.

• Don’t ask personal questions about someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation
• Avoid making assumptions about relationships
• Respect people’s pronouns
• Don’t use offensive language. What you consider offensive and what your guests consider offensive may differ. If you aren’t sure, it is better not to say it.

Final Thoughts

There are many benefits to making your vacation rental LGBTQIA+ friendly. Not only is it the right thing to do, but you’ll also be able to tap into a traditionally underserved market.

And, if you make your guests feel welcome and comfortable, they will likely return again and again. Just be sure to avoid doing anything that could make your guests feel unwelcome or offended.

If you do that, you’ll surely have a successful business that everyone can enjoy. So put up a rainbow flag, promote local LGBTQ events, and make your guests feel welcome!

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!