Travel agency Herbots Reizen, based in Herk-de-Stad and Beringen (Limburg), is going to organise trips specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community. Their aim is to ensure that members of this community can travel safely, particularly in countries where homosexuality is not widely accepted. Together with Koen Wijgaerts, vice-chair of Limburg Pride, the travel agency is organising its first group trip to Amsterdam in early October.
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Travel agency organising holidays tailor-made for LGBTQIA+ travellers: “Safety comes first”
Colin Clapson
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The idea came about rather by chance. Koen Wijgaerts walked into Herbots Reizen and asked whether the travel agency would like to support Limburg Pride. “One thing led to another, and before long we were talking about travel for the LGBTQIA+ community,” he explains.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Wijgaerts says that travelling isn’t always straightforward everywhere. “In some countries, same-sex couples can be open about their relationship without any problems, whilst elsewhere that may not be not the case,” he explains.
“In Uganda, homosexuality is even punishable by death. There is still too little advice on this subject, which is why we launched this initiative. It’s brilliant that Herbots Reizen is now providing a solution.”
According to manager Koen Herbots, accurate information is essential in this regard. “Everyone should be able to travel freely, regardless of their sexual orientation. But people also need to know what to expect at their destination. We won’t discourage anyone from travelling to a particular country, but we do draw customers’ attention to potential risks or cultural sensitivities.”
It is not only LGBTQIA+ travellers who receive tailored advice. “We also inform women travelling alone about destinations where they may be confronted with different expectations or customs,” says Herbots.
To Amsterdam in October
From 2 to 4 October, Herbots Reizen and Wijgaerts are jointly organising the ‘Love is Love, Travel is Freedom’ group tour to Amsterdam for the first time. “Because Amsterdam is a symbol of connection and freedom. It’s a model of a cosmopolitan city for everyone,” says Wijgaerts.
The programme includes a visit to the queer exhibition ‘Amsterdam, the Pink City’ at the Nieuwe Kerk, the Anne Frank House, a walk past historic sites significant to the LGBTQIA+ community, and a drag show.
The initiative has also attracted interest from the travel sector. “Colleagues from other travel agencies have already got in touch to ask how we’re organising this trip,” says Herbots. “What’s more, during Limburg Pride, we were the only travel agency with a stand. Some partners in the sector have reacted to that idea with great enthusiasm.”