A survey of LGTBQ+ people from around the world has revealed that the majority of the travel experiences they’ve had so far have been welcoming. Jenny Southan reports
Digital travel platform Booking.com conducted a survey of 3,052 LGBTQ+ travellers from the UK, US, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand in Jun/July 2021, to learn more about their experiences when on vacation.
Here are the key findings – from a positive perspective…
- 87% of LGTBQ+ travellers surveyed believe that the “majority of the travel experiences they’ve had so far have been welcoming”.
- 58% of LGTBQ+ travellers have felt welcomed “most of the time” during their stays.
- 24% have been offered LGBTQ+ specific advice or guidance on the area during their stay, with almost one in four (23%) receiving this at the time of check-in.
- 75% of respondents haven’t had staff assume they would need separate rooms or beds when checking in as a couple.
- 76% haven’t experienced staff or accommodation owners at check-in incorrectly assuming their relationship to their travel companion/companions.
- 77% have felt comfortable to ask for LGTBQ+ friendly local tips or recommendations.
- 42% don’t believe being LGBTQ+ impacts the decisions they make when planning a trip.
- 50% say that being LGBTQ+ hasn’t affected their destination bucket list.
- 46% report that being LGTBQ+ doesn’t affect who they choose to travel with.
- 43% indicate that travelling as an LGTBQ+ person doesn’t impact how they behave with their significant other when travelling together.
- 46% believe being LGTBQ+ doesn’t impacts how they present themselves during their trip (for example, clothing, makeup choices etc)
Arjan Dijk, CMO and senior vice-president of Booking.com, says: “Everything we do at Booking.com is about enabling smoother and more enjoyable travel experiences for everyone – no matter where they come from, who they love or how they identify.
“As a gay traveller myself, I share some of these same concerns, but also equal amounts of optimism for a better future. One in five LGBTQ+ travellers say they are hopeful about being able to travel without restrictions or limitations in the next five years.
“We firmly believe we can get there together and that everyone should be able to experience the world as themselves, always.”