The world’s largest ever LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) research study, to be released by global gay marketing specialists, Out Now, at World Travel Market 2011, nearly doubles its global gay population reach with the inclusion of India.
Out Now Consulting has announced the inclusion of India into the LGBT2020 research study - nearly doubling the population reach of their annual global survey into the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities world wide.
The inclusion of India – which is home to up to 50 million gay and lesbian adults - now brings the number of countries in the LGBT2020 survey to 25, and will provide never-before-collected information into the lives of LGBT people on the Indian sub-continent. The LGBT2020 research study will collect information on the demographics, consumer spending habits, work attitudes, and discrimination, as well as travel aspirations - and reveal the potential value of this market for the very first time.
Travel and tourism findings from India will be unveiled by Out Now at World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, taking place between November 7-10.
With a population of nearly 1.2 billion, India is home to a staggering 17.5% of the world’s population, and represents an unprecedented opportunity for companies wishing to explore an untapped and growing market.
India’s economy has continued to boom in recent years, and it is now one of the 10 largest economies in the world - and growing rapidly. India is also in the top 5 fastest-growing economies in the world according to figures published by the International Monetary Fund.
World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: "We are delighted the new LGBT tourism research from India is to be presented by Out Now at World Travel Market. Out Now’s global research sets the standard in understanding and forward thinking development of market insights - and that fits perfectly with informing the leading thinkers in our industry how to deliver relevant new products and services to meet the needs of this new part of the increasingly important global LGBT tourism market.”
“The rapid growth of India as an economic power is one of the most important global stories of modern times,” said Darren Cooper, Senior Consultant for Out Now Global based in London, “The implications for companies and other organizations engaged in business and social planning in the country are huge, and getting to grips with workplace and social issues faced by LGBT people in India is imperative.”
Ian Johnson, the founder and CEO of Out Now added: “We are all very excited about the inclusion of India into the LGBT2020 study for 2011 and the potential that this represents. It is extremely important to our vision to include new and emerging markets. Last year, we added Brazil to our data set, and this year we add India, which is home to around 50 million gay and lesbian adults. The Out Now Global LGBT2020 Study will, for the first time, shed light on the diversity of experiences that go to make up so many LGBT lives - from a truly global perspective.”
The strategic implications for companies looking to do business in India are far reaching. International companies that have already invested heavily in the country include IBM, Hyundai, and Nokia.
The rapidly-growing economy in India is now fueling all major industries, including the country’s well-known technology industry. Massive investment in the infrastructure is also helping to expand the retail market - another segment that is quickly drawing international interest and investment. Travel and tourism - both into and out of India’s LGBT markets - is set for strong growth during the decade ahead.
The Out Now Global LGBT2020 Study is a 10-year program of research and is the world's most comprehensive LGBT research project. In 2011, the study is sampling gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people in 10 languages from 25 countries, on 6 continents on many aspects of their lives. From LGBT travel and tourism patterns, lifestyle habits, consumer expenditure, incomes, spending, discrimination, and entertainment preferences - the LGBT2020 project is a groundbreaking project from Out Now.
Out Now will work with lesbian and gay groups and other organizations to assure the widest possible sample reach. In India, it is working with a number of specialists, including consultant Snehil S Dhall.
In 2010, almost 40,000 respondents from around the world participated in the LGBT2020 study.
Source: eTN
