LGBTQ+ Travelers More Concerned About Safety, Says Survey

Photo source: Destsetters

LGBTQ+ travelers continue to face heightened safety concerns compared to their heterosexual counterparts, according to a recent survey conducted by travel metasearch website WayAway.

The study, based on responses from 100 LGBTQ+ travelers and a comparable group of heterosexual travelers, highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to feeling safe and being themselves while traveling.

According to the survey, LGBTQ+ travelers had an average “safe indicator” of 3.5 out of 5, significantly lower than the average of 4.1 points among heterosexual travelers.

Furthermore, 50 percent of LGBTQ+ respondents admitted to avoiding public displays of affection, while 30 percent said they restricted their clothing and behavior in public, and another 30 percent stated that they controlled the disclosure of personal information. These behaviors are often adopted to minimize the risk of discrimination or harassment.

Photo source: Belvera Partners

The study also revealed that safety is the primary concern for 62 percent of LGBTQ+ travelers when choosing a destination. Despite the progress made over the years, many LGBTQ+ individuals still struggle to feel safe and accepted while traveling.

“Whilst undoubtedly enormous progress has been made over the years, as LGTBQ+ people travel to Gay Pride events all around the world this month let’s not forget that many of them sadly don’t feel safe or that they can be themselves when travelling,” said WayAway’s PR Director Janis Dzenis.

Dzenis called on the travel technology industry to “create more innovative tools than enable LGTBQ+ travelers to both feel and actually be safe when on the move.”

“There’s apps and services out there, of course, but more could be done and often the mainstream OTAs or tour operators don’t offer much in that way,” he added.

WayAway has developed a series of city guides dedicated to LGBTQ+ travelers, including popular destinations such as San Francisco, New Orleans, Portland, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Madrid and celebrated Gay Pride Month this year by featuring LGBTQ+ friendly destinations from gay-travel-bloggers Nomadic Boys.

Greece is among the Top 20 Gay-friendly Travel Destinations for 2023, according to a study released by online magazine MyDatingAdviser.com.