Closet-cationers: Latest Booking.com Research Reveals Majority of LGBTQ+ Travelers Conceal Their Identity When Traveling

• Only 31% of LGBTQ+ travelers globally say they are ‘out’ when they travel

• 40% are willing to hide their identity in order to experience a bucket list destination

• Closeted LGBTQ+ travelers are the only segment of the community where a majority (53%) don’t report feeling anxious when traveling

• 37% feel safer asking AI sensitive questions about the local LGBTQ+ scene than asking a human

Booking.com released its latest Travel Proud Research Report, the company’s most expansive and cross-cutting survey to date, focused exclusively on the attitudes, actions and perceptions of LGBTQ+ travelers. With insights from 13,300 LGBTQ+ travelers across 19 countries, the research highlights the broad range of experiences across different parts of the community.

Trade-offs LGBTQ+ travelers make to experience the world safely

A striking finding in this year’s report: the LGBTQ+ travelers who report the fewest negative experiences and who appear to be the most confident - are those who identify as ‘not out’. Travelers who are ‘not out’ are the least likely to have had a negative experience related to their sexuality on a trip in the last twelve months (34% compared to 62% of all LGBTQ+ travelers globally, rising to 73% for LGBTQ+ travelers who identify as trans). They are also the only group where a majority didn’t report feeling anxious when travelling (53%) compared to 30% globally and just 20% of polyamorous travelers. It’s a stark reminder that the "safest" LGBTQ+ travelers are often the ones who are most effectively able to hide parts of who they are.

The decision to conceal parts of their identity; whether by choice or out of necessity, is sadly a reality shared by the majority of the LGBTQ+ travelers surveyed. Only 31% of respondents globally are out when traveling, compared to the 68% who are out to close friends. This number grows further when asked about where LGBTQ+ travelers want to go; with 40% willing to hide their identity in exchange for experiencing a bucket-list destination, highlighting that, for many, deciding between exploring the world and being fully themselves still involves profound trade-offs.

Precautions and anxiety on the rise, particularly for trans travelers

Further to that, 44% of LGBTQ+ travelers also say that they are taking more precautions than they were a few years ago; actions like sharing live locations with trusted contacts to manage anxiety (25%), deleting dating apps before border crossings (16%), using VPNs to disguise activity or access blocked sites (19%) and carrying burner phones (18%) are common. 48% of LGBTQ+ travelers constantly scan their surroundings before showing affection to their partner in public.

The data also highlights the particular challenges faced by trans travelers. They are the only group where the percentage who have become more anxious about travel outpaces their peers who’ve become more relaxed in recent years. With 43% feeling more anxious in the last few years compared to a global average of 27%. And while for most demographic groups, being ‘out in public late at night or after dark’ is the most frequently cited anxiety moment (22% globally). For trans travelers, using gendered facilities (bathrooms, changing rooms) is the number one anxiety trigger (24%); highlighting the reality of a travel experience which other groups do not face with the same intensity.

How are the industry and AI tools boosting LGBTQ+ traveler confidence? 

Despite these trends, encouragingly LGBTQ+ travelers report far more positive experiences than negative ones globally, with 82% sharing at least one positive experience specific to their gender or sexual identity when traveling in the last year. These range from: staff using correct pronouns (34%), signs of inclusivity at a property such as pride flags (32%) or gender neutral bathrooms (32%) and LGBTQ+ staff members (32%). And as a whole, 58% of LGBTQ+ travelers believe that acceptance has improved in the last few years.  

Interestingly, the same digital tools that LGBTQ+ travelers are taking precautions with, are on the flip side, increasingly seen as ways to search for impartial information, connect with members of the community in destinations, and find reassurance about a hotel or attraction. Two-thirds (66%) of LGBTQ+ travelers used AI to plan a trip in the last year, with 43% trusting AI to provide objective, non-judgmental travel advice regarding their identity. 39% believe AI is efficient at finding niche LGBTQ+ friendly spots which are hard to find via standard search. 37% feel safer asking AI sensitive questions about the local LGBTQ+ scene than asking a human, and 30% say that they would find an inclusion or ‘LGBTQ+ friendly’ filter useful when booking travel online.

This year’s research shows why our Travel Proud program continues to be as important as ever. We’re encouraged by how the program has grown in the five years since it launched in 2021 and how enthusiastically it has been embraced by so many of our partners around the world. Training is now available in 11 languages and has been completed by more than 142,000 properties, allowing travelers to filter for LGBTQ+ friendly properties in over 20,000 cities and destinations across the globe.

Despite the challenges, and the increased precautions LGBTQ+ travelers are taking in order to feel safe, we are inspired by the 66% globally who prioritize trips where they can be 100% themselves; and who continue to fiercely and authentically Travel Proud.

Matthias Schmid, SVP of Accommodations, Booking.com

Read the full Travel Proud Research Report for an in-depth exploration of LGBTQ+ travel experiences in 2026, including brand new insights addressing questions such as: 

• Which nation is more likely to be out when traveling than at home?

• Who do travelers in polyamorous relationships trust most for travel guidance?

• What kind of trade-offs are made by LGBTQ+ business travelers?

• What are the biggest concerns for LGBTQ+ travellers with children globally?

With the Travel Proud filter and badge on Booking.com, LGBTQ+ friendly properties are easier to find for millions of travelers looking for inclusive stays. Simply select the ‘Travel Proud (LGBTQ+ friendly)’ filter or keep an eye out for the rainbow suitcase on property pages. Find out more: here. 

For accommodation providers, learn more about completing the online Travel Proud training and the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ+ travelers 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. 

*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 13,331 respondents across 19 Markets: 222 from Argentina, 1,041 from Australia, 1,021 from Brazil, 839 from Canada, 527 from Colombia, 1,031 from France, 1,035 from Germany, 1,010 from India, 1,044 from Italy, 521 from Japan, 525 from Mexico, 508 from Netherlands, 218 from New Zealand, 219 from Singapore, 1,088 from Spain, 216 from Taiwan, 208 from Thailand, 1,019 from UK, 1,039 from US. To participate respondents had to be 18 years old or older, must have taken a personal trip that included an overnight stay in the last 12 months, either be involved or the primary decision maker about booking and planning travel, and must be part of the LGTBQ+ community. The survey was carried out between February and March 2026.

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