82% of LGBTQ+ travelers reported having “less than welcoming or uncomfortable” experiences when traveling, proving that, uh, discrimination doesn’t discriminate based on where you’re headed for a long weekend.
Research conducted by Booking.com
in 25 countries confirms the idea that, like many other aspects of daily life, traveling is more complicated and often difficult for gay people, who report having to more strongly consider their safety and whether they’ll face discrimination when they plan for travel.According to the press release, Booking.com’s “Travel Proud” initiative aims to better inform and prepare professionals in the hospitality industry about the issues the LGBTQ+ community faces while traveling. Hopefully, this will help them become more inclusive and welcoming to what they must ultimately see as a profitable demographic.
Here are the key takeaways from the research and details about “Travel Proud” from Jerry
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Though it isn’t surprising to hear that belonging to a marginalized community complicates travel decisions, some statistics stand out:
55% of those surveyed reported experiencing discrimination (stereotyping, being stared at, laughed at, or verbally abused) while traveling.
64% report they have to consider their safety and wellbeing as LGBTQ+ travelers
Of the 25 countries involved in the research, LGBT+ travelers from India, Denmark, and Mexico reported most frequently having negative experiences while traveling.
51% of the LGBTQ+ community feel that the destinations on their 'bucket list' have been affected by being part of the community
60% of LGBTQ+ travelers are more likely to travel to a destination that celebrates its local LGBTQ+ community and history
31% would like additional information shared on the LGBTQ+ status of the location, including local laws, religious sensibilities, clothing mandatories, and LGBTQ+ hate crime statistics.
The “Travel Proud” initiative
Booking.com’s “Proud Hospitality” training session is a 75-minute course for hospitality professionals designed to, according to its website, “help hospitality professionals understand the challenges and barriers that the LGBTQ+ community face when traveling, providing them with practical skills and techniques that they can immediately put into practice at their property.”
The press release doesn’t specify what the course consists of other than that it includes access to “additional resources such as a Travel Proud Customer Toolkit.” The press release doesn’t specify what that consists of, either.
Those who complete the course and make a “commitment to deliver a more inclusive experience”—a statement implying no real obligation—are allowed to display a “Travel Proud” badge on their websites.
LGBTQ-friendly cities in the U.S
In general, densely-populated metropolitan areas tend to be more diverse and welcoming toward the LGBTQ+ community than smaller, rural areas. Cities in the Northeastern (Boston
, New York
, Philadelphia
) and Western (San Francisco
, Portland
, Los Angeles
) parts of the country are, broadly speaking, more LGBTQ+-friendly than the more conservative South. Of course, southern cities like Atlanta
and Miami
are also home to LGBTQ+ communities. Save money on car insurance in less than a minute
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