Interview: Managing Director of Virgin Holidays on the push for travel equality

Mark Anderson, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays, speaks to Attitude about his company’s push for travel equality…At the Attitude Awards in October, you announced that Virgin Holidays would be launching a new commitment to travel equality. Why is this a top issue for you, and how will the company go about putting it in action?

In our opinion, it isn’t right that some people have to think twice before they travel on holiday to certain destinations. During 2014, in the UK and elsewhere like the US, we saw some significant forward strides in terms of social acceptance, but there is still a long road to be travelled in many parts of the world. That business should be a force for good is a key Virgin value and we want to use our influence to play a role in other countries broadening their horizons and making holidays something that everyone can enjoy freely and equally – whoever they are, and wherever they want to go.

Virgin Holidays offers trips to a number of countries – in the Caribbean or the Middle East for example – which don’t tolerate homosexuality, legally and socially. What is your advice on these areas for the LGBT traveller?
We do, and both are very popular with our customers. However, we strongly believe that this should not preclude anyone from visiting them if they want to. Whenever our customers visit different cultures, we encourage them to learn about and respect the local laws and customs – particularly if they’re exploring away from the more established ‘tourist’ areas. Although we want to make such caution a thing of the past – we saw just a few months again Morocco how much of an issue it remains – it will not happen overnight and until then we must respect that as tourists we’re all guests in those countries, whether or not we agree with their values.

As the MD of Virgin Holidays, who happens to be a gay man, do you feel you are in a unique position to secure your equality aims? i.e. Governments and tourist boards are perhaps more likely to pay attention to you, having influence on their tourist income.
Being gay and MD should no longer be a distinction that’s made; they’re not mutually exclusive. I’m backing travel equality because it’s simply the right thing for us to be doing – the right thing for Virgin Holidays to use our influence to try and achieve. There is no denying the commercial case that can be made for destinations being more open and accepting to gay travellers, but for that change to be truly meaningful, it should also come from the heart and be something that countries want to see happen.

Further to considering travel equality for the LGBT community, this commitment is also extending to the disabled, and those with difficulty affording holidays. As a business, why is it important for you to take up these causes as well?
The mental, physical and emotional benefits of a good holiday are well documented. Quality time spent with our loved ones helps to strengthen relationships and return us to the best version of ourselves. Why should they be the preserve of the able bodied, or those lucky enough to afford them? This industry sells dreams and creates lifelong memories, and I want us to do what we can to make that something from which everyone benefits.

Finally, which Virgin Holiday destination is your own personal favourite and why?
I have loved visiting Cape Town for many years now. There’s an incredible variety of things to do, the climate is really pleasant, the food and drink are superb and very affordable – as you’d expect given the city’s proximity to the ocean and those wonderful vineyards – and it’s big enough to have a buzz but small enough to feel intimate.

GETA (Gay European Tourism Association) recommends that gay travellers check the legal position of all countries they are planning to visit. Visit the IGLA Rainbow Europe Guide at ilga-europe.org or visit the Foreign Office & Commonwealth website fco.gov.uk before you make any travel plans.

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In the new issue of Attitude – the Travel Issue – we delve into the best gay destinations you never thought to explore, the old classics, and examine the recent spate of LGBT people being arrested and imprisoned in countries where being gay is illegal.

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