IGLTA Accredited™ Criteria
IGLTA Accredited™ status is achieved on evidence of satisfying the 8-criteria assessment.
All information must be present and correct at the time of the audit.
1
Publicly displayed non-discrimination policy or customer charter
Accreditees must upload a non-discrimination customer charter/statement of intent the includes a clear zero-tolerance policy for sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) discrimination or similar policies.
This policy must be made public (eg. on the organization’s website and a URL provided).
2
Staff sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) non-discrimination policy
Accreditees must upload the excerpt from their staff manual or handbook that includes non-discrimination policies that protect LGBTQ+ members of staff. Other verifiable documents could be a staff contract and recruitment advertisements/job descriptions that explicitly state equal opportunities based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE).
We understand that in certain countries/regions local laws may not support the requirement of such policies, but in such instances, the company/organization can provide internal policies that protect its LGBTQ+ members of staff.
3
Complaints, whistleblowing and watchdog procedures
Accreditees must provide the organization’s procedures for approaching, dealing with and remedying any LGBTQ+ customer and staff complaints against the organization.
4
LGBTQ+ customer champion
Accreditees must provide the contact details of one customer-facing member of staff, assigned as the organization’s LGBTQ+ “champion.” This member of staff will be the person who is the direct customer liaison should there be an LGBTQ+ issue on the property.
5
LGBTQ+ community support
Accreditees must demonstrate a minimum of two ways in which the organization provides for and gives back to the LGBTQ+ community. Program members can show support for the global or local LGBTQ+ community through giving, in-kind contributions, Pride and community engagement, mentorship and by working with local non-profits. We strongly recommend that organizations consider trans*, women’s, social-mobility/homelessness and mental health, and HIV/AIDs communities and non-profit organizations.
6
LGBTQ+ inclusive marketing and communications
Accreditees must include one example of LGBTQ+ positive/inclusive marketing and communication practice in the last 24 months, or plans to develop one in the next 12 months.
7
Third party references
Accreditees must provide one example of positive LGBTQ+ customer reference directly from customers, or third-party peer to peer programs (e.g. Tripadvisor), or provide a reference from a travel agent or a long-standing IGLTA member.
8
Diversity and sensitivity training
Accreditees must provide LGBTQ+ specific diversity and sensitivity training to their team. It is expected that senior management, heads of department and front-facing hotel staff should be trained, or be part of an ongoing LGBTQ+ professional development program. If your property has not yet undergone LGBTQ+ diversity training, you may want to consider our members that have aligned their training programs to IGLTA Accredited.