LGBT+ travellers still facing ‘enormous challenges’ to feel safe, claims new research

Booking.com said discrimination “remains a key concern across the entire travel experience” with the majority (55%) of UK respondents having experienced discrimination when travelling, increasing to 86% of transfeminine and 83% of transmasculine travellers.

32% of LGBT+ travellers revealed they have been subjected to stereotyping, while 20% said they have been “stared at, laughed at or verbally abused” by other travellers – this is highest amongst pansexual travellers (26%) and lesbian travellers (23%).

Almost a fifth (18%) said they had faced the same levels of discrimination from locals in their destination and 11% reported they had been “threatened or intimidated by local law enforcement”.

62% of UK LGBT+ travellers said being an LGBT+ person had impacted how they present themselves in terms of their clothing and make-up choices while travelling – increasing to 75% for those that identify as transgender – while 16% of UK LGBT+ travellers have had someone incorrectly assume their gender or pronouns, doubling to (38%) for transgender travellers.

Over a third (38% – up from 21% in 2022) have felt they need to change their behaviour “to avoid judgement or awkward interactions” with others, while 25% said they felt they needed to change their appearance to avoid the same situations (up from 16% in 2022).

Conversely, and despite challenges faced as an LGBT+ traveller, 65% of respondents said they felt their experience of being LGBT+ in the UK makes them more confident as a traveller (up from 51% in 2022), while 79% of UK LGBT+ travellers feel confident to partake in “any activities”. 

Research said positive travel experiences were “proving far more common” with an increased confidence within LGBT+ communities. 

More than four-fifths (83%) of UK LGBT+ travellers said they have experienced some form of positive interaction. 

45% have had friendly and informative correspondence with the accommodation ahead of arrival (up from 24% in 2022) and 54% of travellers said they have had “great first impressions” on arrival, such as welcome drinks and friendly staff (up from 34% in 2022).

On LGBT+ allyship within the travel industry, Booking.com found 82% of UK LGBT+ travellers feel more comfortable travelling due to the increased inclusivity of the travel sector, and 79% of UK LGBT+ travellers said they “actively enjoy” the experience of booking trips – only 5% lower than Booking.com’s research which asked all travellers.

Although research highlighted work still to be done to meet the needs of LGBT+ travellers – with only 15% of customers being offered LGBT+ specific guidance.

More than a third (36%) of respondents said they would like to receive information on the LGBT+ situation in a destination, such as local laws, religious sensibilities and tips on where to go to be safe.

There is also “a clear need” for travel companies to “show up as allies” and implement inclusive policies – with 61% of LGBT+ consumers saying they research brands and experiences before they travel to understand how those companies support the LGBT+ community.

63% said they are more likely to book travel and experiences with brands who are LGBT+ owned (up from 49% in 2022), with queer (73%) and pansexual (71%) travellers more likely to do so.

70% of respondents agreed they are more likely to favour airlines and brands with inclusive policies, such as gender neutral uniforms.