With 93% of Vietnamese LGBTQ+ travelers having experienced less than welcoming or uncomfortable experiences while traveling, Booking.com is taking action to pave the way for everyone to travel proudly
The term “travel” and its connotations are meant to denote positive experiences, adventure and fun. But for many LGBTQ+ travelers around the world, the reality of travel can often paint a very different picture, with new research from leading digital travel platform Booking.com showing that 93% of Vietnamese LGBTQ+ travelers are less than welcoming or uncomfortable has experienced, experiences while traveling. Booking.com’s most comprehensive LGBTQ+ travel survey to date, conducted among LGBTQ+ travelers in 25 countries around the world, sheds light on attitudes, concerns and travel preferences, as well as past experiences, current realities and hopes for a more inclusive travel future.
The Reality of LGBTQ+ Travel Today
For 40% of Vietnamese LGBTQ+ travelers, travel is a time to relax and unwind mentally. However, the reality is that there are some additional considerations that extend across the entire travel experience that people outside the community may never have to think about.
With almost three quarters (70%) of Vietnamese LGBTQ+ travelers who were discriminated against by stereotyping (28%) while traveling, being stared at, laughed at or called names by other travelers (25%) and/or the local population (26%), it is not surprising that LGBTQ+- travelers face the added complexity of navigating a journey, from selecting a destination to the activities they participate in. 74% of LGBTQ+ travelers say being part of the community influences the decisions they make when planning. For example, 79% say they should consider their safety and well-being as an LGBTQ+ traveler when selecting a destination – felt most strongly by travelers who identify as queer or gay and 73% think the destinations are on their ‘bucket list’ are influenced by being part of the community. 83% believe that membership in the LGBTQ+ community affects who they choose to travel with† while 72% indicate that this affects the activities they participate in when they are away.
Promising signs of progress and positivity
While there are many barriers to inclusive travel for those who identify as LGBTQ+, there are still key areas where travelers have positive interactions and experiences, with 84% of Vietnamese LGBTQ+ travelers reporting that the majority of their travel experiences so far have been welcoming. goods. It’s also refreshing that more than eight out of 10 (83%) travelers report feeling real about being part of the LGBTQ+ community Lake confident as a traveler, with 80% saying they have the confidence to explore the destinations they want to visit.
Before arriving at their chosen accommodation, 27% say they have had friendly and informative correspondence with the accommodation, while just over a quarter (29%) have also received local guidance and information during their stay. When arriving at a destination, a first impression counts for everything and thankfully this has resulted in a positive experience for almost a third (30%) of LGBTQ+ travelers who say they had a good first impression upon arrival, such as welcome drinks or friendly staff.
Community connection is key
Booking.com’s research also shows that a destination’s LGBTQ+ community is at the heart of many decisions made by LGBTQ+ travelers, and a passion to experience everything this community has to offer predominates among the findings. 73% of Vietnamese LGBTQ+ travelers are more likely to travel to a destination that celebrates the local LGBTQ+ community and history† 75% are more likely to choose a trip that allows them to learn more about the historical aspects of the LGBTQ+ community in their chosen destination. While LGBTQ+ travelers want to connect with the LGBTQ+ community to enrich their travel experiences, they also look to brands to support and recognize the community, with 76% of LGBTQ+ travelers more likely to seek out attractions or activities that are tailored on the LGBTQ+ community. The same number (74%) also research accommodations, brands, and experiences prior to booking to understand their role in supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and that research leads the majority (73%) rather book with brands that attempt to do so.
A more inclusive travel experience for everyone
While there are seeds of positivity and green shoots of progress in LGBTQ+ travel, there remains a real need – and opportunity – for the industry to make the travel experience more welcoming, inclusive and holistic for LGBTQ+ travelers, and ultimately for everybody† When Vietnamese LGBTQ+ travelers were asked what they hope to see from tour companies, 53% would like more tailored recommendations for their preferences and interests, 41% would like to share additional information about the location’s LGBTQ+ status, including local laws, religious sensitivities, dress codes, and LGBTQ+ hate crime statistics. Nearly 39% would like to see filters to identify accommodations that provide a positive experience for LGBTQ+ travelers, with a filter being most popular among travelers from Brazil (40%), New Zealand, the US, and Vietnam (all 39%
Booking.com recognizes the important role accommodations play in providing a more inclusive experience and is taking action to pave the way for Travel Proud for everyone. launched Booking.com’s Proud Hospitality training program will be available in English and French to its accommodation partners worldwide in August 2021, and will be launched in German and Spanish in the coming weeks. There are now more than 10,000 Proud Certified homes.
The aim of the training session is to provide hospitality professionals with an understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by the LGBTQ+ community while traveling, as well as provide them with practical skills and techniques that they can immediately put into practice on their property. The training is available free of charge to all Booking.com real estate partners worldwide. Upon completion of this online course and commitment to provide a more inclusive experience, Proud Certified partners will receive a Travel Proud badge on their property page to show potential guests that they can rely on a more welcoming experience. know that the accommodations they select are committed to making more inclusive hospitality their standard. A selection of cities with multiple Proud Certified properties are further featured on a dedicated Travel Proud page, where travelers can learn more about the initiative and find and book Proud Certified properties.
“At Booking.com, we believe that everyone should always be able to experience the world as themselves”, say Arjan Dijk, CMO and Senior Vice President at Booking.com† “From taking time to relax to experiencing different cultures, travelers from the LGBTQ+ community ultimately want the same as everyone else when it comes to travel and the industry needs to make welcoming experiences the norm for everyone — no matter who they love, how they identify or where they come from. As a gay traveler I have faced travel barriers and discrimination, but over the years I have also witnessed progressive changes. By taking action to pave the way for a more inclusive industry, we hope to pave the way for broader change that will raise the standard of travel for all.”
