LGBTQ+ travelers: High desire to return to travel before end of year

  • 73% of global respondents said they plan to take their next major vacation before the end of 2021
  • 23% of the respondents had made travel reservations in the past week
  • Responses came from approximately 6,300 LGBTQ+ travelers around the world

The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, with support from the IGLTA Foundation, recently released the first findings from its 2021 LGBTQ+ Post COVID-19 Travel Survey. Responses came from approximately 6,300 LGBTQ+ travelers around the world, with the largest representation from the United States, Brazil, Mexico, India and the EU.

  • One year into the pandemic, the desire to return to travel is stronger than ever. Nearly three-fourths (73%) of global respondents said they plan to take their next major vacation before the end of 2021
  • Nearly one quarter (23%) of the respondents had made travel reservations in the past week, at the time of taking the survey

“When we did our first LGBTQ+ post COVID-19 travel sentiment study last year, the pandemic was in its infancy and everything was uncertain. Still, the results were undeniable: LGBTQ+ travelers were anxious to return to travel as soon as it was safely possible,” said John Tanzella, IGLTA President/CEO. “We wanted to revisit this project a year into this challenging time to reinforce the resilience of LGBTQ+ travelers, and to champion the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion in destination outreach.”

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. 

  • 58% are likely/very likely to stay in a hotel or resort
  • 68% are likely/very likely to take a domestic leisure trip
  • 45% are likely/very likely to stay in a vacation home, condo or rental apartment
  • 31% are likely/very likely to take an international leisure trip
  • 19% are likely/very likely to visit an amusement park
  • 25% are likely/very likely to take a group trip
  • 13% are likely/very likely to take a cruise
  • 50% are likely/very likely to take a short-haul flight (3 hours or less)
  • 36% are likely/very likely to take a medium-haul flight (3-6 hours)
  • 26% are likely/very likely to take a long-haul flight (6 hours or more)
  • 43% are likely/very likely to attend an LGBTQ+ Pride Event

The IGLTA Post COVID-19 LGBTQ+ Travel Survey was conducted between 26 March and 9 April 2021 through the association’s global network, including members and media partners. The responses came from 6,324 individuals around the world who identity as LGBTQ+. An emphasis was placed on obtaining greater gender parity in this survey.


  • 57% of respondents identified as gay; 19% lesbian; 17% bisexual
  • 70% of respondents are between the ages of 25 and 64
  • 63% of respondents are men; 31% are women, 1% are transgender, 4% identify as non-binary or preferred to self-describe