For most of us, travel is a freeing experience that allows us to connect with the truest forms of ourselves.

However, according to new research, LGBTQ+ travellers from across the globe are still faced with uncomfortable and often dangerous situations when they travel.

An independent survey commissioned by Booking.com sampling 5,514 LGBTQ+ travellers from across the world has revealed that 82 per cent of respondents have experienced ‘less-than-welcoming’ or ‘uncomfortable’ experiences when travelling.

The research exposes the barriers to inclusive travel that still remain for LGBTQ+ travellers and highlights that travel in principle and travel in practice are sometimes two different things for the community.

For example, for one in two (52 per cent) LGBTQ+ travellers, travel does present a time to relax and mentally unwind.

The reality is that there are loads of additional considerations extending across the entire travel experience that those outside the community may never need to think about.

With more than half (55 per cent) of LGBTQ+ travellers having experienced discrimination while travelling, through being subjected to stereotyping (28 per cent) being stared at, laughed at or verbally abused by other travellers (18 per cent) and/or locals (17 per cent), 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.

In fact, 60 per cent of LGBTQ+ travellers said that being part of the community impacts the decisions they make when planning, 58 per cent believe being a member of the LGBTQ+ community impacts who they choose to travel with and 55 per cent indicated it impacts the activities they participate in when away.

The most disturbing finding of the research was the 64 per cent of respondents who reported they have to consider their safety and wellbeing as an LGBTQ+ traveller – most strongly felt by travellers who identify as queer (75 per cent) or gay (74 per cent).

Promising signs of progress and positivity

While there are many obstacles to inclusive travel for those who identify as LGBTQ+, 85 per cent of LGBTQ+ travellers reported that the majority of their travel experiences so far have been welcoming.

It’s also refreshing that 62 per cent of travellers reported that being part of the LGBTQ+ community actually makes them feel more confident as a traveller.

The research found that the LGBTQ+ community of a destination sits at the heart of many decisions, and a passion to experience all that this community has to offer is prevalent among the findings with 60 per cent of respondents more likely to travel to a destination that celebrates its local LGBTQ+ community and history

Respondents also indicated that they look for brands that support and recognize the community too, with more than half more likely to seek out attractions or activities that are tailored to the LGBTQ+ community.

The same number (55 per cent) also researched accommodations, brands and experiences ahead of booking to understand the role they play in supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and that research led to the majority (64 per cent) to book with brands that are making an effort to do so.

A more inclusive travel experience for everyone

Although there are seeds of positivity and green shoots of progress across LGBTQ+ travel, there remains a real need for the industry to make travel more welcoming, inclusive, and holistically positive for everyone.

One thing Booking.com is doing to help make its product more inclusive is its Travel Proud training program, which has so far been taken up by 10,000 properties across 95 countries.

But there’s so much more we could be doing as an industry.

Specifically, respondents said they wanted to see more tailored recommendations for their preferences and interests (37 per cent), additional information shared on the location, including local laws, religious sensibilities, clothing mandatories and LGBTQ+ hate crime stats (31 per cent) and filters that allow them to identify properties that offer a positive experience for LGBTQ+ travellers (30 per cent).

Another major issue facing LGBTQ+ travellers is representation.

Read our interview with Michael Kabourakis and Charlie Douty from Husbands Who Travel here to learn more about what the industry can do to improve the experience of LGBTQ+ travellers.