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Meet the first ever TTG LGBT+ Travel Ambassadors
Video transcript
Jessica Reid, TTG Media
Hello from Delhi. I'm here with Intrepid Travel, Virgin Atlantic, and four of our TTG LGBT+ Travel Ambassadors in training. We are here on an Intrepid Travel itinerary through India's golden Triangle, discovering what inclusive, LGBT-friendly tourism looks like in this vibrant destination. Over the past week, our ambassadors have taken in some of India's most iconic sites, had some incredible foodie moments and have also had unforgettable community-based experiences. So let's find out what our group had to say about the experience.
Megan O'Leary, Travel Counsellors
We had a culture and heritage tour led by a trans woman here in [Delhi] India, and she pointed out all the important parts of Indian history where this third gender was recognised. We were taken to her adoptive family and met other individuals like her – the way we were welcomed and cooked lunch, and they're just like any other family – the way that they bicker – it was just such a warm environment and we laughed so much and I'd love to spend more time with them. Definitely a highlight.
During that tour, we went to a mosque. We then went to the bazaar, which was amazing. We went and paid attributes to a shrine, which was a really unique experience where we laid blankets for love and fortune and put petals over the top. And then we had chai – which was the best chai of the trip so far.
Richard Lowrey-Heywood, Not Just Travel
So the Sheroes Hangout is a space that was set up to help the women who were acid attacked, whether by their significant partner, by family, by strangers. These women have turned something so dark into a positive space and they've now got a job, they've now got a career and they help each other and they've created a network in the community of survivors. Probably life changing a little bit to go to a place that was set up in sadness and darkness and to walk in and it was full of smiles, light, music, incredible food, art, and just these amazingly strong women who have come against something and made it into a positive.
Linda Reynolds, The Personal Travel Agents at Your Coop (Midcounties Co-operative)
My highlight was a hot air balloon ride in Jaipur. We started off early morning – expectations were high, and when we arrived, we were met by these two huge balloons that were being inflated. You could see in the distance the orange of the sky lighting up. A sun was beginning to rise. I can highly recommend doing a balloon trip in India. It is an incredible experience. The views, the sights, the sounds – and this was all brought to life again by experienced staff who just made the trip incredible.
Richard Lowrey-Heywood, Not Just Travel
There's been two top food experiences, and they've been with the guides, one in Jaipur and one in Delhi, where we did the food adventure. So we got into the streets of the city and we tried incredible street food, and you wouldn't have found this food without our guide. It was just incredible moments and real big experiences.
David Knight, Swords Travel
It was just stunning seeing all the highlights to seeing some of the LGBTQI+ community out in India. It's been so amazing to see how special it's been for them to sort of connect with other people in the community that they don't meet every day, exchanging stories, and I think that's something when we do get home in weeks, months and years to come, we'll just remember the trip and how powerful it has been
Linda Reynolds, The Personal Travel Agents at Your Coop (Midcounties Co-operative)
Intrepid is an incredible company that look at those places that people haven't before. On the ground they have their own local staff and these are the people that bring it to life for you. The tour guides they have are very knowledgeable. They're all local people and the best tour guides also get the best collaboration. They have people in every area who can help you, explain to you and make sure you are safe, happy and have the best possible experience.
Richard Lowrey-Heywood, Not Just Travel
Virgin Atlantic are a massive ally to our community, so for me, they get a top 10/10 already for that. But secondly, what a great flight. It's been a long time – 1998 – I last flew with Virgin. So big changes. The flight was comfortable, the food was fantastic, so much entertainment and I'm looking forward to my return flight back to London.
David Knight, Swords Travel
We managed to see the Clubhouse at Heathrow, which didn't feel like a lounge at all – didn't even feel like we were in the airport. It was absolutely amazing. Loads of different areas. Even a rooftop, the only rooftop at Heathrow, with an amazing view of the runway. And then the flight itself was amazing. All the crew were so welcoming. And it was just an amazing experience to start off the trip to Delhi.
