More than one in three LGBTQ+ people in Britain would be willing to conceal their identity in order to visit a bucket-list destination, according to new research highlighting the challenges many still face when travelling abroad.
The study, commissioned by travel platform Booking.com, found that only 34% of LGBTQ+ British travellers describe themselves as being "out" while travelling, despite 76% saying they are out to close friends.
Researchers found that 36% would hide their LGBTQ+ identity if it meant being able to visit a dream destination, while more than a third (37%) say they now take more precautions when travelling than they did a few years ago.
The findings suggest concerns around safety and acceptance continue to shape travel decisions for many LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender travellers. According to the research, trans respondents were the only group more likely to say their anxiety about travel had increased rather than decreased in recent years.
Many LGBTQ+ travellers reported changing their behaviour while abroad, with 46% saying they scan their surroundings before showing affection towards a partner in public.
The research also found growing reliance on artificial intelligence as travellers seek information about LGBTQ+ safety and inclusivity.
More than a third (36%) said they felt more comfortable asking AI sensitive questions about the local LGBTQ+ scene than speaking to another person, while almost half (48%) had used AI to help plan a trip within the past year.
Meanwhile, 42% said they trusted AI to provide impartial and non-judgemental travel advice.
Despite the concerns highlighted by the survey, the findings also point to signs of progress. Three quarters (75%) of LGBTQ+ travellers reported at least one positive experience related to their identity while travelling, and 47% said they believe attitudes and acceptance have improved in recent years.
Among the positive indicators cited were hospitality staff using correct pronouns, visible Pride symbols, gender-neutral facilities and the presence of LGBTQ+ employees.
Ryan Pearson, UK Regional Manager at Booking.com, said the findings demonstrated that many LGBTQ+ travellers still do not feel completely comfortable being themselves when travelling. "This year's research reminds us that feeling safe to be yourself while travelling is still not a given for many LGBTQ+ travellers," he said.
"Despite these challenges, nearly two-thirds continue to prioritise trips where they can be completely themselves."
The report comes as Booking.com expands its Travel Proud programme, which helps users identify accommodation that has undertaken LGBTQ+ inclusivity training. More than 142,000 properties worldwide have now completed the programme, allowing travellers to search for LGBTQ+-friendly accommodation in more than 20,000 cities and destinations.
The findings echo wider concerns raised by LGBTQ+ rights groups, which have warned that rising hostility towards LGBTQ+ people in some parts of the world is influencing where people choose to travel and how openly they express their identities while abroad.
For many LGBTQ+ travellers, the study suggests, the desire to explore the world is increasingly being balanced against concerns about safety, acceptance and the freedom to be themselves.
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