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The post Booking.com reveals the contrasting world of caution and confidence for LGBTQ+ Travelers in 2023 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, regardless of who they love or how they identify, Booking.com’s most extensive LGBTQ+ travel research to date spotlights the steady progress, as well as the recent setbacks, for these communities when it comes to travel.

Despite the travel industry’s growing recognition of the scope and variety of LGBTQ+ experiences, many travelers today still face enormous challenges. With a background of polarizing political decisions in the past 12 months, personal safety has never been more of a focus, with four fifths (95%) of LGBTQ+ travelers reporting that they must consider their safety and wellbeing as an LGBTQ+ person when picking a destination – up significantly from 69% last year. This also increases for intersex (90%), genderfluid (90%), transfeminine (89%) and transmasculine (87%) travelers.

Conducted amongst 11,555 LGBTQ+ travelers across 27 countries and territories around the world, the extensive study shows that mainstream news – from issues around recent major world sporting and music events to celebrity and corporate sponsorships – has put discriminatory legislation and views in the spotlight for many, impacting considerations around vacation decisions.

Over three quarters (82%) of respondents admit that controversy in the news around attitudes, discrimination and violence towards people who identify as LGBTQ+ has had a big impact on their choice of destination, with LGBTQ+ travelers from Australia (84%), Hong Kong (82%) and the US (79%) indicating that they are the most cautious.

 Active allyship in the travel industry
The travel industry is clearly playing a part in shifting attitudes and perceptions. Over four fifths (95%) of LGBTQ+ travelers feel more comfortable traveling due to the increased inclusivity of the travel industry, increasing to 87% for genderfluid or genderqueer travelers. What’s more, 96% of LGBTQ+ travelers actively enjoy the experience of booking trips – only 5% less than Booking.com’s Travel Trends research which spoke to all travelers.**

Still, the research shows there’s much more to be done to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ travelers. While guidance and information on the local area at check-in is common (47%), being offered LGBTQ+ specific guidance is much less frequent, with only 39% having experienced this. One third (45%) would like to receive information on the LGBTQ+ status of the location, such as local laws, religious sensibilities and tips on where to go to be safe, rising significantly to 51% for travelers who identify as trans* and genderfluid or genderqueer.

There is a clear need for travel companies to show up as allies to implement policies that are inclusive and welcoming for LGBTQ+ travelers:

• 94% research travel brands and experiences before they travel to understand the role they play in supporting people who identify as LGBTQ+
• 94% say they are more likely to book travel and experiences with brands who are LGBTQ+ owned than those who are not (up from 61% in 2022) with queer (73%) and pansexual (71%) travelers more likely to do so
• 96% agree that they are more likely to favor airlines and brands with inclusive policies (e.g. gender neutral uniforms), rising to 86% for transmasculine and 83% for transfeminine travelers

Since launching in 2021, Booking.com’s Travel Proud program provides free inclusive hospitality training for accommodations to help them gain a better understanding of the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ+ travelers, as well as what can be done to make every guest feel more welcome, regardless of where they come from, who they love or how they identify.

The training is now available in English, Italian, French, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and German, with training sessions available in all languages at least once a week. There are now more than 24,000 certified properties globally on Booking.com, with welcoming Travel Proud stays available in 118 countries and territories and over 7,030 cities.

The post Booking.com reveals the contrasting world of caution and confidence for LGBTQ+ Travelers in 2023 appeared first on Travel Daily.

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