“Travelling Will Always Make You Learn Something New About the World”: Dixxon Cho From Expedia

Dixxon Cho, APAC Vice President for Pride & Multilingual Credit Control Collector at Expedia Group, spoke to myGwork about his experience working in their Malaysian office, coming out and how travel is a force for good.

Hi Dixxon, thanks for chatting with us. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Dixxon and I am from Malaysia. Working from the Malaysia office, currently, I am working as a Credit Controller and Global APAC Vice President for Pride IBG (Inclusion Business Group) at Expedia Group.

Coming out is unique and different for everyone – what is your relationship with ‘coming out’ in your Malaysian office?

While coming out is still a complex issue for many people especially in the APAC community, last month during Pride month I had the privilege to ‘officially’ come out to my whole team and office. Even though I was actively involved in many activities under Pride in the office, it actually took me a while to be fully comfortable talking about my sexual orientation at work. Today, I am glad that I am able to fully share myself while creating more visibility for the community at the same time.

What are your favorite holiday destinations and why?

Bangkok! Hands down. I am always a city-over-beach person where I prefer places with more convenience and options. Also, you might have heard that Thailand, especially Bangkok has a very high level of social acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community (although not legally). Bangkok city’s energy will give you a unique experience, not forgetting that Thai food is the best food in the world!

Have you ever travelled abroad for Pride?

I would travel to attend Pride parades around the world as there is no Pride parade from where I am from (Malaysia). My favorite Pride Parade would be the Seoul Queer Parade (or known as Seoul Queer Culture Festival). Studying abroad in Seoul gave me the chance to attend my first ever Pride in 2014. Watching the parade grow year by year while I learn more about myself coming out in Korea, the parade has a very close part to my heart.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Given that it is still illegal to be LGBTQ+ in my home country if I was given a choice, I would move to a country with legal protections for LGBTQ+ people. Preferably, Australia or Taiwan where it is closer to my own country and where same-sex marriage is legal. (As if I had the choice!)

Do you think “pink tourism” can be a powerful economic force?

In Expedia, we believe that travel is a force for good. When people have the power to travel, we unleash more opportunities to strengthen connections, broaden horizons and bridge divides.

Travelling will always make you learn something new about the world! Did you know that LGBTQ+ tourists contribute an estimated 1.15 per cent to Thailand’s economy – a greater share than in any other nation on earth!