How LGBTQ+ people travel, according to Booking.com

Booking.com, a digital travel platform where individuals can book accommodation, flights, and attractions, has released a research investigating LGBTQ+ travellers from Singapore. 

This research is an interesting investigation into the preferences and considerations that LGBTQ+ individuals have before travelling. By learning more about the travelling habits of queer individuals, the tourism industry may be able to gain a better understanding of ways they can better appeal to the LGBTQ+ community, especially since the travel spending for queer individuals is projected to reach US$568.5 billion by 2030.

Destination ahead

The first choice that most travellers make is where to go.

Like most others, LGBTQ+ travellers firstly consider if accommodations at the potential destination will fit their budget. After crossing this initial roadblock, LGBTQ+ people are very careful when making their travelling plans due to added anxieties related to their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Three in four of these travellers believe that being their authentic self on the trip is the next most important factor, after the price of travelling. It’s easy to understand why — taking a break from our everyday lives is a large reason for going on holiday, and being stressed about discrimination while on holiday doesn’t sound like a break.

With this motivation in mind, LGBTQ+ travellers tend to consider a number of factors before booking their flights: the local legislation regarding LGBTQ+ rights; what they have read about the news and experiences of other foreign queer travellers; and whether the destination is more, or less accepting of LGBTQ+ people than their home country.

If this criteria is not met, travellers may change their plans — 62% of respondents have cancelled a trip after discovering that their destination is unsupportive of its LGBTQ+ residents. Simultaneously, in the past 12 months, 80% of respondents have booked a trip to a country that is perceived as supportive.

In person

While LGBTQ+ travellers seek environments that are comfortable to them, they do not travel at the expense of the locals. These travellers are mindful of their identities while travelling, with 2 thirds of respondents curating a travel persona and modifying aspects of their appearance and behaviour. 

This travel persona can help travellers avoid potential discrimination or unwanted attention and adapt to cultural sensitivities that exist in another country.

Respondents may also take extra precaution on the way to the destination, as travelling usually requires them to be seated in an enclosed space near strangers. Over half of LGBTQ+ travellers have had negative experiences, related to their identities, with another flight passenger. As a result, 68% of travellers will go out of their way to select specific seats that minimise their interactions with others. 

With the decreased proximity is a decreased chance for discrimination.

Stakeholder.com

Simultaneously, although LGBTQ+ travellers may be wary of fellow travellers, and the destination, the research claims that 84% of them have felt more comfortable when travelling because of the increased inclusivity in the travel industry. 

Since Booking.com is the one who conducted the survey, they specifically cited the efforts their company has put into making travelling more inclusive for all. 

For example, Booking.com’s Travel Proud programme provides accommodations with free hospitality training. This training is conducted in 11 languages, and provides perspective on the difficulties that LGBTQ+ travellers may face, and how to make all guests feel more welcome, regardless of their identities and nationalities. 

“At Booking.com, we passionately believe that everyone should be able to travel and experience the world in their own unique way," says Arjan Dijk, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President at Booking.com. 

“As a gay man, I unfortunately know first hand the challenges that persist in many parts of the world, including sadly with travel alerts already being issued ahead of Pride events this year.”

The travel alerts that Dijk refers to a travel advisory released by the United States State Department in May, which told citizens to remain on alert in tourist areas, particularly Pride celebrations and venues frequented by queer people. According to the State Department, this advisory was given due to the higher change of foreign terrorism directed at LGBTQ+ people and events. 

“Despite all this, I am incredibly inspired to see LGBTQ+ travellers resiliently embracing their lived experiences, both at home and during their trips,” says Dijk. “While real and tangible progress is being made, we must remain vigilant and do our part to make it truly easier for everyone to Travel Proud.”

In addition to their research, Booking.com has also compiled the top LGBTQ+ friendly destinations of this year. These destinations include: Stockholm, Sweden; New Orleans, United States of America; Bogotá, Colombia; Melbourne, Australia; and our very own Singapore, Singapore.