A study of nearly 12,000 LGBT+ travellers across 27 countries found 79% LGBT+ travellers in the UK said safety was their most important consideration – up from 61% last year.

The statistic also increased among intersex (90%), genderfluid (90%), transfeminine (89%) and transmasculine (87%) travellers across the world.

Booking.com said the higher focus on safety had been driven by “polarising political decisions” in the past 12 months impacting the LGBT+ community.

Over three-quarters (78%) of UK respondents admitted “controversy in the news” around attitudes, discrimination and violence towards LGBT+ people has had a “big impact” on their choice of destination – with LGBT+ travellers from Australia (84%), Hong Kong (82%) and the US (79%) the most cautious.

Worldwide, there are still 64 countries that criminalise same-sex relationships – including 11 where the death penalty can be imposed – which essentially puts them off-limits to the LGBT+ community.

More than two-thirds (71%) of respondents said they would not travel to certain destinations due to anti-LGBT+ laws – rising to 74% for transgender travellers, who reportedly face a disproportionately higher rate of discrimination and violence around the world. 

Even after booking trips, almost a third (31%) of LGBT+ travellers have cancelled a trip in the past year after seeing a destination not supporting LGBT+ rights and issues – more than double (63%) for those identifying as transgender. 

Booking.com said discrimination “remains a key concern across the entire travel experience” with the majority (55%) of UK respondents having experienced discrimination when travelling, increasing to 86% of transfeminine and 83% of transmasculine travellers.

32% of LGBT+ travellers revealed they have been subjected to stereotyping, while 20% said they have been “stared at, laughed at or verbally abused” by other travellers – this is highest amongst pansexual travellers (26%) and lesbian travellers (23%).

Almost a fifth (18%) said they had faced the same levels of discrimination from locals in their destination and 11% reported they had been “threatened or intimidated by local law enforcement”.

62% of UK LGBT+ travellers said being an LGBT+ person had impacted how they present themselves in terms of their clothing and make-up choices while travelling – increasing to 75% for those that identify as transgender – while 16% of UK LGBT+ travellers have had someone incorrectly assume their gender or pronouns, doubling to (38%) for transgender travellers.

Over a third (38% – up from 21% in 2022) have felt they need to change their behaviour “to avoid judgement or awkward interactions” with others, while 25% said they felt they needed to change their appearance to avoid the same situations (up from 16% in 2022).

Conversely, and despite challenges faced as an LGBT+ traveller, 65% of respondents said they felt their experience of being LGBT+ in the UK makes them more confident as a traveller (up from 51% in 2022), while 79% of UK LGBT+ travellers feel confident to partake in “any activities”. 

Research said positive travel experiences were “proving far more common” with an increased confidence within LGBT+ communities. 

More than four-fifths (83%) of UK LGBT+ travellers said they have experienced some form of positive interaction. 

45% have had friendly and informative correspondence with the accommodation ahead of arrival (up from 24% in 2022) and 54% of travellers said they have had “great first impressions” on arrival, such as welcome drinks and friendly staff (up from 34% in 2022).

On LGBT+ allyship within the travel industry, Booking.com found 82% of UK LGBT+ travellers feel more comfortable travelling due to the increased inclusivity of the travel sector, and 79% of UK LGBT+ travellers said they “actively enjoy” the experience of booking trips – only 5% lower than Booking.com’s research which asked all travellers.

Although research highlighted work still to be done to meet the needs of LGBT+ travellers – with only 15% of customers being offered LGBT+ specific guidance.

More than a third (36%) of respondents said they would like to receive information on the LGBT+ situation in a destination, such as local laws, religious sensibilities and tips on where to go to be safe.

There is also “a clear need” for travel companies to “show up as allies” and implement inclusive policies – with 61% of LGBT+ consumers saying they research brands and experiences before they travel to understand how those companies support the LGBT+ community.

63% said they are more likely to book travel and experiences with brands who are LGBT+ owned (up from 49% in 2022), with queer (73%) and pansexual (71%) travellers more likely to do so.

70% of respondents agreed they are more likely to favour airlines and brands with inclusive policies, such as gender neutral uniforms.