Most LGBTQ+ travelers go back into the closet when they travel, study finds

A new global study from Booking.com suggests that many LGBTQ+ people alter or conceal their identities while on the road, trading openness for a greater sense of safety and access to dream destinations.

The Travel Proud Research Report, based on responses from 13,300 LGBTQ+ travelers across 19 countries, finds that only 31 percent of LGBTQ+ travelers say they are fully out when they travel. By comparison, 68 percent say they are out to close friends at home.

The survey reveals a pattern of deliberate self-editing. Forty percent of respondents say they are willing to hide their identity to visit a bucket list destination. Many travelers navigate each trip through a series of calculations about where to go, how to behave, and which parts of themselves to reveal.

The report also highlights a striking dynamic among those who identify as “not out.” This group is the least likely to have had a negative experience related to their sexuality while traveling in the past year, at 34 percent, compared with 62 percent of LGBTQ+ travelers overall and 73 percent of trans travelers. They are also the only segment in which a majority, 53 percent, did not report feeling anxious when traveling, compared with 30 percent across the community and 20 percent of polyamorous travelers.

Many LGBTQ+ travelers now build extra precautions into their itineraries. Forty four percent say they are taking more steps to protect themselves than they did a few years ago.

Some of the most common tactics include:

• Sharing live locations with trusted contacts to manage anxiety (25%)
• Deleting dating apps before crossing borders (16%)
• Using VPNs to disguise activity or access blocked sites (19%)
• Carrying burner phones (18%)

Nearly half, 48 percent, say they constantly scan their surroundings before showing affection to a partner in public.

For trans travelers, everyday logistics often carry additional risk or worry. Forty three percent say they feel more anxious about travel in recent years, compared with a global average of 27 percent across the LGBTQ+ sample.

For most groups, being out late at night is the moment that prompts the most concern, cited by 22 percent of respondents globally. Trans travelers identify a different primary stress point: using gendered facilities such as bathrooms and changing rooms, named by 24 percent as their top anxiety trigger.

Despite the challenges, 82 percent of LGBTQ+ travelers report at least one positive experience linked to their gender or sexual identity during trips in the past year. Respondents point to practical signs of inclusion, including:

• Staff using correct pronouns (34%)
• Visible Pride flags at properties (32%)
• Gender neutral bathrooms (32%)
• LGBTQ+ staff members on site (32%)

Across the sample, 58% believe acceptance has improved in the last few years.

The full Travel Proud Research Report provides a detailed look at how LGBTQ+ travelers navigate visibility, security, and joy on the move in 2026.

For many, these decisions feel easier with a strong professional and social network behind them. LGBTQ+ professionals and allies looking for community, inclusive employers, and resources around travel and work can create a free profile on myGwork and connect with a global network that supports them year round.