• Both entities will help facilitate the adoption of business practices that respect both the environment and human diversity.
• The work of both teams will help businesses and tourist destinations to fulfill the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, offering a mutual benefit for the organizations involved and society as a whole.

In a significant push towards sustainability and inclusion in the tourism sector, Biosphere, the international reference in sustainability certification based on the structure of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets set by the United Nations, and its innovative global platform for identifying sustainable consumption alternatives, has announced its alliance with Queer Destinations, a prominent entity in LGBTQ+ tourism, recognized for its work in creating inclusive tourist spaces. Together, they are committed to promoting  and  facilitating  the  adoption  of  business  practices  that  respect  both  the environment and human diversity.

Coinciding  with  FITUR  in  Madrid,  the  two  organizations  have  highlighted their shared commitment to creating a more inclusive, fair, and sustainable tourism. Biosphere continues its work to integrate sustainability at the core of tourist destination activities, companies, and  consumers, relying on the 17 SDGs and their 169 targets. On the other side of this alliance, Queer Destinations, a leading company in the LGBTQ+ segment, whose distinction is  recognized  by  the  IGLTA  (International  LGBTQ+  Tourism  Association),  brings  its expertise in team training and talent, and the creation of safe and inclusive destinations that have  already  extended  to  countries  such as Spain, Mexico, the United States, Germany, Belgium, or the Netherlands. In this synergy, the participating entities will have a greater capacity to develop ethical and holistic business models.

This innovative agreement, sealed during one of the most prominent events in the global tourism industry in Madrid, aims to lay the groundwork for tangible transformation in the global tourism industry, positioning sustainability and LGBTQ+ inclusion as essential pillars of the industry.

After their meeting and agreement, which involved the participation of Patricio Azcárate (CEO of Biosphere) and Roberto Álvarez (CEO of Satour Tourism Consultancy and Delegate of Biosphere Andalucía), Edgar Weggelaar, CEO of Queer Destinations, commented: “We are ready  to  embark  on  this  transformative  journey  hand  in  hand  with  Biosphere.  This collaboration symbolizes a crucial advancement in our mission to create tourist experiences that  celebrate  diversity  and  promote  positive  environmental  impact.  Together,  we  will empower  businesses  to  authentically  commit  to diversity and continue to improve their sustainable practices, fostering a global community committed to respect and environmental conservation.”

In the words of Patricio Azcárate, CEO of Biosphere, “This alliance reinforces the power of collaboration   and  consensus  among  organizations  that  advocate  for  an  increasingly sustainable world. As a cornerstone of sustainability for any business model and destination, beyond environmental aspects, the inclusion, diversity, and equality of people are essential. Hand in hand with Queer Destinations, we achieve harmonizing the language of this great pillar  and  providing  our  large  community  with  the  most  inclusive methodology, always connected to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and targets.”

With  this  agreement,  the  aim  is  to  provide  companies  with  the  necessary  tools  and knowledge  to  implement  sustainability  and  diversity  and  inclusion  actions  thanks  to Biosphere’s certification and the ‘Queer Destinations Committed’ distinction, with which the company  positions  itself  as  the  bridge  that  connects  governments,  destinations,  and international companies with the LGBTQ+ community, a tourist segment that, according to sources from the World Tourism Organization, could account for up to 180 million annual tourists. A figure that could increase in a context where more and more people identify as part of the community, moving from 4% of the boomer generation to 16% of the Z generation according to Ipsos data in 2023.