The LGBTQ+ market is eager to start travelling again: IGLTA survey

Individuals within LGBTQ+ communities are eager to start travelling again once the coronavirus crisis is resolved, according to a new survey conducted by the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA).

Gathering responses from nearly 15,000 LGBTQ+ travellers from around the world, the survey was conducted to gauge attitudes toward leisure travel in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognizing global timelines and the need for safety protocols, two-thirds (66%) of respondents said they would feel comfortable travelling again for leisure before the end of 2020, with September and October being the most popular choices.

Nearly half (46%) said they would not change the types of destinations they choose to visit after the coronavirus situation is resolved, reflecting a high degree of destination loyalty amid the uncertainty.

While 25% of respondents are still undecided, only about 28% said they would change their destination choices.

“Previous studies have shown our community to be a resilient and loyal travel segment with a tendency to travel more than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts,” John Tanzella, IGLTA president and CEO, stated in a release. “We wanted to document their sentiments during this particular challenging moment in time to remind the tourism industry at large that LGBTQ+ travellers should be a valued part of their recovery plans. Messages of inclusion have the potential to resonate even more strongly with LGBTQ+ travellers now."

The largest representation of the 14,658 responses came from the United States, Brazil, Canada, France and Mexico, with the majority of participants (88%) identifying as men; 8% identified as women, 2% as transgender.

The bulk of participants (77%) identified as gay; 6% as lesbian and 12% as bisexual; 79% of respondents were between the ages of 25 and 64.

The survey also focused on the likelihood of LGBTQ+ individuals choosing a variety of travel-related activities in the next six months, again showcasing strong willingness to travel and the diversity of the LGBTQ+ travel market.

Among other findings:

• 48% are likely/very likely to stay in a hotel or resort
• 57% are likely/very likely to take a domestic leisure trip
• 34% are likely/very likely to stay in a vacation home, condo or rental apartment
• 29% are likely/very likely to take an international leisure trip
• 20% are likely/very likely to visit an amusement park
• 21% are likely/very likely to take a group trip
• 13% are likely/very likely to take a cruise
• 45% are likely/very likely to take a short-haul flight (3 hours or less)
• 35% are likely/very likely to take a medium-haul flight (3-6 hours)
• 27% are likely/very likely to take a long-haul flight (6 hours or more)
• 33% are likely/very likely to attend an LGBTQ+ Pride Event

The IGLTA Post COVID-19 LGBTQ+ Travel Survey was conducted between April 16th and May 12th 2020 through the association’s global network, including members and media partners, with support from the IGLTA Foundation.

The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is a global leader in advancing LGBTQ+ travel and an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. As of 2016, the association had member businesses in about 80 countries.

For more information, go to iglta.org.

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