by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 12:40 PM ET, Wed June 17, 2026
The annual Travel Proud report commissioned by Booking.com surveyed LGBTQI+ travellers and found that while travel is still a positive thing in their lives for the most part, there are still some areas where they face more challenges than other travellers do.
The survey reports that 38 percent of respondents are not “out” when travelling (77 percent said they are out to their close friends at home.) Close to 40 percent said they would consider hiding their sexuality while travelling in order to visit a “bucket-list” destination. While feeling the need to keep from disclosing an aspect of yourself may not sit well with everyone, queer travellers who identified themselves as “not out” are the ones who reported the fewest negative experiences. A majority of these respondents also said they don’t experience anxiety when travelling.
The survey also found 40 percent of Canadian LGBTQI+ travellers say that they are taking more precautions than they were a few years ago. These precautions include sharing live locations with trusted contacts (25%), deleting dating apps before border crossings (18%), using VPNs to disguise activity or access blocked sites (20%) and carrying burner phones (14%). 40 percent reported they constantly scan their surroundings before showing affection to their partner in public.
Trans travellers face even more challenges, as trans focused hate and bigotry gains ground in certain political circles and is even ensconced in laws. 42 percent of North American trans travellers report feeling more anxious in the last few years — compared to a global average of 34%. Using gendered facilities (bathrooms, changing rooms) was cited as the top anxiety trigger, highlighting the reality of a travel experience which other groups do not face with the same intensity.
The report is not wholly negative, however. Canadian LGBTQIA+ travellers report far more positive experiences than negative ones globally, with two-thirds sharing they had at least one positive experience related to their gender or sexual identity when travelling in the last year. These positive experiences included staff using correct pronouns, signs of inclusivity at a property (such as pride flags,) gender-neutral bathrooms, and LGBTQI+ staff members. Overall, 46 percent of Canadian respondents believe that acceptance has improved in the last few years.
Booking.com has a Travel Proud ("LGBTQ+ friendly") filter for searches on its site, and uses a rainbow suit case to designate Travel Proud properties. Find out more here.
For accommodation providers, learn more about completing the online Travel Proud training and the specific challenges faced by queer travellers in order to become a Travel Proud property here. The program has been created by independent third-party experts in inclusive hospitality and has been completed by more than 142,000 Travel Proud partners all over the world.
Read the full Travel Proud Research Report for an in-depth exploration of LGBTQIA+ travel experiences in 2026.
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