Shoppers are noticing a quiet truth: most LGBTQ+ travellers still hide who they are while on holiday. New global research shows who’s keeping quiet, where people feel safest, and why this matters for bookings and bucket lists. Here’s what the report reveals and practical tips for travelling more confidently.

Essential Takeaways

  • Most travellers conceal: A global Booking.com survey of 13,000 LGBTQ+ people found only 31% say they’re openly queer while travelling.
  • Bucket-list compromises: About 40% would hide their identity to visit a dream destination, trading visibility for experience.
  • Safety first: Safety and comfort are main drivers; many report feeling less anxious when they downplay their identity.
  • Mixed experiences: 82% had at least one positive identity-specific moment on holiday, but 58% also faced negative treatment.
  • Regional gaps: Concealment rates vary widely, with notable proportions of travellers in Australia and India admitting they hide who they are.

A surprising majority still “go back into the closet” on holiday

The headline finding is simple and a little sad: most queer travellers aren’t living out loud when they travel. Booking.com’s Travel Proud research asked 13,000 LGBTQ+ people across 19 countries about their holiday behaviour, and only about three in ten said they were openly queer while away. That low, quiet number gives you a sensory sense of restraint , people talking in softer tones, avoiding hand-holding, choosing neutral hotel rooms over Pride-friendly venues. According to Booking.com, concerns about safety and comfort are the main reasons people dial down self-expression.

People will sacrifice visibility for dream destinations

Forty percent of respondents said they’d hide their identities to visit a dream or bucket-list place. That tells you how powerful destination appeal is, but also how deep the trade-offs are: you might see a stupendous sunset, yet tuck away part of yourself to enjoy it. Travel industry outlets including Travelmole and TravelPulse covered regional nuances, noting that closeting while travelling isn’t just a personal choice , it’s shaped by local laws, cultural attitudes and perceived safety. Practically, if you’re planning a big trip, do a quick legality and safety check on local LGBTQ+ rights and common-sense etiquette.

Positive moments exist, but negative experiences are common too

There’s no simple picture. Most respondents , 82% , said they’d experienced at least one identity-affirming moment while on holiday in the last year, from friendly encounters to welcoming venues. Yet 58% also reported some negative treatment. Those figures show travel can be both liberating and risky, sometimes in the same place. Travel publications and Booking Holdings’ press notes stress that businesses and destinations have an opportunity to make travel more inclusive , and travellers have reason to favour those that do.

Regional patterns: Australia, India and the different shade of concealment

The research shows meaningful regional differences. For example, surveys highlighted that a significant share of Australian LGBTQ+ travellers conceal their identities abroad, and separate reporting flagged that about 46% of Indian respondents said they hide who they are when travelling. Those variations reflect law, social norms and recent headlines, but also the different ways communities approach risk and joy on the road. If you’re choosing where to go, look at recent local reporting, community resources and real-time safety advice rather than relying on old assumptions.

Practical tips for travelling more confidently

If you want to travel more openly, here are quick, practical steps: research destination laws and local attitudes; pick accommodation with visible inclusive policies or Pride-friendly listings; connect with local LGBTQ+ organisations for up-to-date safety info; plan a low-key “out” strategy that fits your comfort level; and trust your instincts , it’s fine to choose privacy sometimes. Booking.com’s research suggests travellers already balance these choices carefully, and small preparations can shift a trip from stressful to joyful.

It’s one thing to book a plane ticket, another to feel you can be yourself while you’re there , and these findings remind us why representation, safety and thoughtful hospitality still matter in travel.

It's a small change in planning that can make every trip feel safer and more joyful.

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