More than two-thirds of LGBTQ+ people in the closet while travelling, survey shows
The majority of LGBTQ+ people are staying in the closet abroad, a new survey shows. (Envato)
New research from Booking.com’s Travel Proud Report has shown that most LGBTQ+ people go back in the closet when they go on vacation.
The new report from the travel booking site surveyed 13,300 LGBTQ+ travellers across 19 different countries, and found that only 31 percent of respondents globally said they were “out” while travelling.
Forty per cent of LGBTQ+ travellers said they are willing to hide their queer identities in order to experience a bucket list destination.
Meanwhile, more than half of all closeted LGBTQ+ travellers surveyed said they don’t feel anxious while travelling, compared to just 30 percent of all LGBTQ+ travellers and 20 percent of polyamorous travellers.
The figures also indicate that going back in the closet is safer for LGBTQ+ travellers, with just 34 percent of closeted travellers saying they have had negative experiences relating to their queer identities when travelling. This number is compared to 62 percent of LGBTQ+ travellers globally, and 73 percent of trans travellers.
The survey also recorded more positive experiences. Overall, 82 percent of LGBTQ+ travellers said that they had experienced at least one identity-specific positive experience while vacationing in the last year. However, 58 percent said they faced negative treatment.
