# LGBTQ+ Travellers: Discrimination Barriers and Inclusive Hospitality Opportunities

**Publisher:** Booking.com  
**Published:** 2021-08-11  
**Category:** Travel tech  
**Type:** Survey  
**Access:** Free  
**Official source:** https://news.booking.com/en/new-bookingcom-research-with-lgbtq-travellers-reveals-both-significant-barriers-and-opportunities-for-everyone-to-travelproud  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/new-booking-com-research-with-lgbtq-travellers-reveals-both-significant-barriers

## At a glance
- 53% of UK LGBTQ+ travellers report experiencing discrimination while travelling; 68% factor safety into destination choice.
- 55% have encountered unwelcoming experiences at accommodation properties, including assumptions about room needs and relationship status.
- 87% report their overall travel experiences have been welcoming; 58% felt welcomed during stays.
- Staff interactions and check-in experience rated as most important factors for comfortable, inclusive accommodation stays.
- Booking.com launches Proud Hospitality training programme: 75-minute online session for accommodation providers to improve LGBTQ+ inclusivity.

## What the report covers
Booking.com commissioned independent research among 3,052 LGBTQ+ travellers across eight countries to examine discrimination experiences, safety concerns, accommodation interactions, and travel planning decisions. The survey explores barriers to inclusive travel and identifies opportunities for the hospitality industry to improve welcome and safety for LGBTQ+ guests, leading to launch of the platform's Proud Hospitality certification programme.

## Key findings
Over half of UK LGBTQ+ travellers (53%) have experienced discrimination while travelling. Safety and wellbeing considerations influence destination selection for 68%, with 63% believing some destinations are off-limits due to their identity. Nearly half (50%) report that being LGBTQ+ has affected their destination bucket list, and 58% say it impacts trip planning decisions overall.

The accommodation experience reveals a mixed picture. More than half (55%) have had unwelcoming or uncomfortable experiences at properties. Specific issues include 25% having staff assume they need separate rooms or beds as couples, 24% experiencing incorrect assumptions about relationship status, and 26% reporting uncomfortable guest interactions. However, 87% of LGBTQ+ travellers surveyed believe their overall travel experiences have been welcoming.

Positive accommodation experiences centre on staff interactions and arrival moments. 58% felt welcomed throughout their stays, with staff interactions (57%) and check-in experience (47%) rated as most important for comfort. One-third (36%) experienced great first impressions with welcome drinks or friendly staff; 32% had friendly pre-arrival communication; 24% received LGBTQ+-specific local guidance.

Broader travel planning is influenced by sexual orientation and gender identity across multiple dimensions. 54% report being LGBTQ+ affects who they travel with; 57% say it impacts how they behave with significant others while travelling; 54% believe it influences how they present themselves (clothing, makeup choices). These patterns suggest LGBTQ+ travellers navigate additional psychological and social constraints throughout their journeys.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| UK LGBTQ+ travellers reporting discrimination while travelling | 53% | Observed, UK subsample of 500 respondents |
| LGBTQ+ travellers considering safety/wellbeing when choosing destinations | 68% | Observed, UK subsample |
| LGBTQ+ travellers believing some destinations are off-limits | 63% | Observed, UK subsample |
| LGBTQ+ travellers with unwelcoming/uncomfortable accommodation experiences | 55% | Observed, multi-region sample (3,052 total) |
| LGBTQ+ travellers reporting staff assumed separate rooms/beds at check-in | 25% | Observed, multi-region sample |
| LGBTQ+ travellers rating overall travel experiences as welcoming | 87% | Observed, multi-region sample |
| Total survey respondents | 3,052 | Across UK, US, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand; June–July 2021 |
| Proud Hospitality training session duration | 75 minutes | Online format, developed with HospitableMe; certification pathway for accommodation providers |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — LGBTQ+ travellers actively exclude destinations from consideration due to safety and acceptance concerns. Two-thirds believe some places are off-limits. Destinations can differentiate through explicit inclusivity messaging, staff training, and LGBTQ+ community partnerships to unlock demand from a substantial, economically significant traveller segment that currently self-restricts travel geography.

**Hotels & hospitality** — Accommodation experiences—particularly check-in and staff interactions—are critical touchpoints for LGBTQ+ guests. Over half report negative experiences (assumptions about rooms, relationship status). Staff training that addresses unconscious bias and proactive LGBTQ+-friendly service translates directly into guest comfort, repeat bookings, and positive word-of-mouth within communities that prioritise provider inclusivity.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Platforms can create competitive advantage by enabling LGBTQ+ travellers to identify genuinely welcoming properties. Booking.com's Proud Hospitality certification signals property commitment to inclusivity, reducing search friction and booking anxiety. This approach differentiates inventory, builds trust with underserved segments, and incentivises industry-wide adoption of inclusive practices.

## Methodology and limits
Independent online survey of 3,052 LGBTQ+ travellers conducted June–July 2021 across eight countries: UK (500), US (500), Canada (400), Netherlands (251), Germany (501), France (500), Australia (300), New Zealand (100). Respondents self-identified as LGBTQ+. Survey captured past discrimination experiences, current travel planning behaviours, accommodation interactions, and safety concerns. All figures represent observed responses; no projections or forecasts are included in the source text. This brief is based on the public press release and summary; full methodology details not provided in source.

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© Booking.com for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://news.booking.com/en/new-bookingcom-research-with-lgbtq-travellers-reveals-both-significant-barriers-and-opportunities-for-everyone-to-travelproud