The 2023 Travel Bulletin
By the end of 2030, it is anticipated that the global LGBTQ+ Tourism Market will be worth $568.5B. As such, the LGBTQ+ community is more than ready to go set-jetting to a sublime destination, having now chosen their capsule wardrobe, packed the SPF50, and switched to vacay mode.
But, while the travel industry increasingly looks to cater to LGBTQ+ travelers, there are many regions, including certain countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and even parts of Europe and the land of the free, where cultural bias and legislation exist to create an unwelcoming or unsafe environment for this traveling cohort. While hate towards this group is nothing new, the current wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation feels like more than just a culture war, it can feel more like a war on entire groups of people.
Although there are many obstacles to inclusive travel, young LGBTQ+ people are undeterred. Whether opting for more open locations where positive interactions and experiences are more assured or choosing to defiantly stare down the discrimination and prejudice aimed at this community, LGBTQ+ Millennials and Gen Zs lean into travel for everything - from helping to unlock new parts of themselves, becoming more compassionate citizens who value exploring different cultures, growing with others around them, and transforming their lives for the better.
And it would seem that our young LGBTQ+ cohort is already highly switched on to these benefits, happy to step out of their comfort zone, having adopted a new appreciation for bigger and longer trips as a means to truly live in the moment.
So, with Pride— and the festivals and events that attract millions of travelers every year— upon us, we celebrate our LGBTQ+ communities while unpacking 10 things to know about young LGBTQ+ travelers and explore how the joy of travel not only defines their idea of success but also supports their mental health and sense of self and their hopes for a more inclusive future.