HBX Group has received the Queer Destinations Committed distinction, recognising its efforts to make travel more inclusive through awareness, education and service standards across its teams and partner network. The announcement coincides with Pride Month, a moment that highlights the importance of visibility, understanding, and collective action for the LGBTQ+ community.
To achieve this distinction, HBX Group rolled out a dedicated employee training programme focused on building awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ inclusion, as well as on how to embed these principles into the services provided to customers and partners. Participation reached close to 90 percent, a strong reflection of the engagement and commitment shown across the organisation.
The Queer Destinations Committed programme recognises destinations and organisations that actively champion safe, respectful and trusted environments for LGBTQ+ individuals, whether they are travellers or part of the workforce, while ensuring teams have the knowledge and sensitivity needed to deliver those standards consistently.
“This milestone reflects the progress we are making in embedding inclusion into the way we work, collaborate and support our partners across the travel ecosystem,” said Elena Pérez, Chief People & ESG Officer at HBX Group. “It speaks to a shared belief that more inclusive travel starts with awareness, education and everyday actions across the entire value chain.”
This distinction also marks a natural next step in HBX Group’s strategic alliance with Queer Destinations, which launched in September 2025. Earlier this year, HBX Group and Queer Destinations launched a first-of-its-kind conscious online travel platform (OTA), transforming how LGBTQ+ travellers and residents discover, trust, and spend with businesses and destinations worldwide.
Building on the initiatives both organisations have already launched to expand access to conscious travel products, the distinction brings that same vision closer to HBX Group’s teams and partner community, laying the groundwork for future collaboration across the wider travel ecosystem.
“The future of tourism depends on our ability to understand new generations and adapt to evolving market necessities,” said Edgar Weggelaar, CEO at Queer Destinations. “Companies and destinations that fail to welcome all types of travellers risk facing reputational challenges that can directly impact their image and credibility. This milestone is not only a step forwards for the industry; it also reinforces HBX Group’s leadership in attracting new markets through a more diverse, inclusive, and forward-thinking vision of tourism. Welcome, HBX Group, to this great family!”
In this context, the distinction strengthens HBX Group’s ability to help partners deliver products and services that better reflect what today’s global travellers expect, while contributing to a more responsible and inclusive travel ecosystem.
About HBX Group
HBX Group is a leading global B2B travel technology marketplace that owns and operates Hotelbeds, Bedsonline, The Luxurist, Roiback and Civitfun. We offer a network of interconnected travel technology products and services to partners including online marketplaces, tour operators, travel advisors, airlines, loyalty programmes, destinations, and travel suppliers.
Our vision is to simplify the complex and fragmented travel industry through a combination of cloud-based technology solutions, curated data, and a broad portfolio of products designed to maximise revenue. HBX Group is present in more than 170 countries and employs more than 3,500 people worldwide. We are committed to making travel a force for good, creating a positive social and environmental impact.
