El Laurel Hotel Boutique in Morelos has officially received the Queer Destinations Committed seal, becoming part of a growing international network of hotels and tourism companies working to create safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ travelers.
A recent celebration with key voices shaping tourism and inclusion in Morelos.
The recognition was celebrated just a few days ago, on August 15th, in a special ceremony at El Laurel, where representatives from government, diplomacy, civil society, and the tourism industry came together to highlight the importance of inclusive hospitality. Among those present were Lic. Daniel Altafi Valladares, Secretary of Tourism of the State of Morelos; Abraham Martínez Montilla, Ambassador of Panama in Mexico; Lic. Roberto Gonzalo Flores Zuñiga, Mayor of Xochitepec, Pueblo Mágico; Dr. Benjamín Apolinar Valencia, representing Asociación Civil MAABHE; Lic. Nadxieelii Carranco Lechuga, President of the Human Rights Commission of Morelos; Mtra. Elvia Serrano Avilés, General Director of El Laurel Hotel Boutique; and Mtra. Edith Zuñiga Madrigal, President of the DIF System. On behalf of Queer Destinations, Andrea Martínez, Customer Success Manager, was also on stage, alongside a close collaborator representing Lic. Salma Luevano Luna, National Coordinator at the Ministry of Economy of Mexico for Vulnerable Groups.
Their presence underscored the relevance of this milestone not only for El Laurel Hotel Boutique but also for the wider vision of Morelos as a safe and inclusive tourism destination.
This distinction follows the completion of Hospitality Meets Diversity, the training program developed by Queer Destinations. Through this program, the team at El Laurel learned how to better understand and welcome LGBTQ+ guests with empathy, respect, and confidence, ensuring that every visitor feels both safe and celebrated.
By obtaining the Queer Destinations Committed seal, El Laurel Hotel Boutique positions Morelos on the global map of inclusive tourism. In a country where progress for LGBTQ+ rights in Mexico has advanced significantly in recent years — with marriage equality legalized in 2016 and Pride events thriving in cities across the nation — initiatives like this turn policy into practice. They bring inclusion to life, not just in laws but in daily experiences.
For the hotel, this milestone is both a responsibility and a promise. “Hospitality should mean more than offering a room. It’s about creating a space where everyone feels at home,” the team shared. By carrying the Queer Destinations seal, El Laurel reaffirms that commitment, sending a clear message: diversity is not only respected here, it is celebrated.
For Queer Destinations, this certification adds to a growing list of partners worldwide, from boutique properties to international hotel chains. Each one shares the same vision — transforming tourism into an industry where inclusion is the standard, not the exception.
From the cultural richness of Morelos to the warmth of its people, El Laurel Hotel Boutique now offers travelers something even greater: the assurance that their identity will always be met with respect, dignity, and freedom.
