Watchful travellers are rethinking every itinerary: new research shows many LGBTQ+ Kiwis hide their identity to visit bucket-list destinations, and they're taking extra steps to feel safer while away. This matters for anyone planning a trip who wants to balance adventure with peace of mind.

Essential Takeaways

  • Only 22% feel comfortable being out abroad: A big gap between home life and travel confidence for LGBTQ+ New Zealanders.
  • Half would conceal identity for a dream trip: Many are prepared to hide who they are to access certain destinations or experiences.
  • Practical precautions are rising: Sharing live locations, deleting dating apps and using VPNs have become common.
  • Trans travellers report higher anxiety: Nearly half feel more anxious about travel now than a few years ago, especially around gendered facilities.
  • Digital tools help: Two-thirds used AI to plan trips and many say filters for “LGBTQ+ friendly” bookings would be useful.

Why so many Kiwis hide who they are when travelling

It’s striking to realise that fewer than one in four LGBTQ+ Kiwi travellers say they're comfortable being out abroad; that dissonance is a loud thread through the research. Booking.com’s Travel Proud study polled thousands of queer travellers worldwide and found New Zealanders are notably cautious when away from home. The mood is quietly pragmatic , people want to see the world, but not at the cost of feeling unsafe or exposed. According to Booking.com, this tension explains why so many decide to conceal their identity to visit a coveted place.

Practical precautions people now take before they board

People aren’t leaving safety to chance. Almost half of Rainbow Kiwis say they’re taking more precautions than a few years ago, from sharing live locations with trusted friends to deleting dating apps before crossing borders. Using a VPN or checking for gender-neutral bathrooms is now part of the planning ritual for lots of travellers. Travel sites such as Booking.com are noticing this shift and highlighting tools and filters that could make searching for inclusive stays easier.

The specific challenges trans travellers face

Trans travellers stand out in the data as more anxious about travel than their peers. Nearly half report greater anxiety than before, and triggers include gendered bathrooms, changing rooms and even customs checks. That’s not just a personal feeling , it affects decisions about where to go, when to go and what to pack. Travel industry voices and advocacy groups have been urging hotels and transport hubs to offer clearer, safer options for trans people, but the research shows there’s still work to do.

Positive signs: inclusion moments still make a difference

It’s not all caution and concealment. A strong majority of Kiwi respondents reported at least one positive moment tied to their identity while travelling over the past year , staff using correct pronouns, visible pride signs, gender-neutral bathrooms. Those small acts matter; they shift the balance between anxiety and enjoyment and can turn an ordinary stay into something affirming. Booking.com points out that properties signed up to its Travel Proud programme aim to provide those judgement-free moments.

Tech's growing role in queer travel planning

Digital tools are increasingly central to how queer travellers research and navigate trips. Two-thirds of Kiwi LGBTQ+ travellers said they used AI in the past year to help plan travel, with many finding it useful for locating niche LGBTQ+ friendly spots or asking sensitive questions anonymously. Asked what would help, roughly a third wanted an “LGBTQ+ friendly” filter when booking online , a small product change that could make a big difference in confidence at the point of booking.

How to travel with more confidence: simple, useful steps

Start by researching destinations with up-to-date local laws and cultural norms, then choose accommodation that advertises inclusion or has Travel Proud-style commitments. Share your itinerary and live location with someone you trust, and consider temporary tweaks like deleting dating apps if you’ll pass through regions with anti-LGBTQ+ laws. For trans travellers, pack documentation, know your rights at borders and scope out gender-neutral facilities ahead of arrival. Small steps reduce friction and help you enjoy the trip more.

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

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