Booking.com Reveals the Challenges LGBTQ+ Travellers Still Face and Highlights Ways for a More Inclusive Travel Experience for Everyone

• 83% of Canadian LGBTQ+ travellers have experienced less than welcoming, or uncomfortable, experiences when travelling, with 64% reporting they have to consider their safety and wellbeing
• Booking.com's Proud Hospitality program supports accommodation providers in delivering even more inclusive and welcoming experiences for their LGBTQ+ guests
• More than 10,000 properties globally are now being recognized for their inclusive hospitality efforts with a Travel Proud badge on Booking.com

TORONTO, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The term 'travel' and its connotations should denote positive experiences, adventure and enjoyment. Yet for many LGBTQ+ travellers, the reality of travelling can often paint a very different picture, with new research from leading digital travel platform Booking.com revealing that 83% of Canadian LGBTQ+ travellers have experienced less than welcoming, or uncomfortable, experiences when travelling.

The most extensive LGBTQ+ travel research from Booking.com to date shines a light on attitudes, concerns and travel preferences, as well as past stay experiences, current realities and hopes for a more inclusive travel future. Conducted amongst LGBTQ+ travellers across 25 countries around the world, the study shows that negative experiences are most common while Canadian LGBTQ+ travellers are out and about in public (35%), with those from India (100%), Denmark (97%) and Mexico (93%) indicating that they are experiencing this most frequently.

The reality of LGBTQ+ travel today

With the study exposing the barriers to inclusive travel that still remain for LGBTQ+ travellers, it also highlights that travel in principle and travel in practice are sometimes two different things for the community. For one in two (53%) Canadian LGBTQ+ travellers, travel does present a time to relax and mentally unwind. However, the reality is that there are a number of additional considerations extending across the entire travel experience that those outside the community may never need to think about. 

With more than half (61%) of Canadian LGBTQ+ travellers having experienced discrimination while travelling, through being subjected to stereotyping (33%) being stared at, laughed at or verbally abused by other travellers (21%) and/or locals (21%), it's not surprising that LGBTQ+ travellers face the added complexity of navigating a trip from selecting a destination all the way through to the activities they take part in: