Booking.com: 59% of LGBTQ+ Travelers Face Discrimination During Travel

More than half (56 percent) of LGBTQ+ travelers have booked a trip in the past 12 months to a destination seen as supportive of residents who identify as LGBTQ+, found a study released this week on occasion of Pride Month by Booking.com.

At the same time, findings reveal that 59 percent of LGBTQ+ travelers have experienced discrimination when traveling and 43 percent have canceled a trip within the past year after a destination was found to be unsupportive of LGBTQ+ people.

More than half of LGBTQ+ travelers surveyed said they expect some form of discriminatory behavior from both their fellow travelers and locals at their chosen destinations.

Photo source: Booking.com

Other key study takeaways include:

– affordable accommodation is the primary concern for two in three (66 percent) LGBTQ+ travelers polled

– 63 percent believe that being able to be their authentic self during their travels is the next most important factor

– 55 percent consider a destination’s local legislation regarding LGBTQ+ equality and marriage rights an important factor

– 50 percent consider what they have heard or read in the news about experiences for foreign LGBTQ+ travelers

– 65 percent of LGBTQ+ travelers say they were more likely to book travel experiences inspired by LGBTQ+ pop culture with millennials (70 percent) the most likely.

Photo source: Booking.com

According to study analysts, these concerns influence LGBTQ+ travelers’ perceptions and decision making.

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

Since its launch in 2021, Booking.com’s Travel Proud program offers free inclusive hospitality training for accommodation facilities to help them gain a better understanding of the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ+ travelers.