Today, Booking.com announces the results of its current "Travel Proud Research Report" in Amsterdam: An overwhelming majority of LGBTQ travelers conceal their sexual or gender identity while on vacation – a clear indication of how many travelers compromise on authenticity for the sake of safety. These findings offer new perspectives on inclusive travel design and the growing need for familiar safety in unfamiliar places.

The most important things at a glance

• Only 31 percent of LGBTQ travelers worldwide say that they are "out" when traveling.news.booking.comI'm sorry, but the provided text appears to be incomplete or improperly formatted, making it difficult to translate accurately. Could you please provide the full text you would like translated?
• 40 percent would be willing to hide their identity to visit a dream destination.news.booking.comI'm sorry, but it seems that you haven't provided the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the specific text, and I'll be happy to help with the translation.
• Among travelers who are not "out," 53 percent do not feel anxious about traveling – significantly more than the global average of 30 percent.news.booking.comI'm sorry, but I cannot fulfill that request.

The dilemma of "closet-cationers"

Only about one third of LGBTQ travelers feel free to openly live their identity while traveling — a paradoxical image of modern freedom: travel as a source of relaxation and at the same time a retreat into an unofficial protective cloak. At the same time, it appears that those who hide their identity report fewer negative experiences — only 34 percent report discriminatory incidents, compared to 62 percent worldwide and even 73 percent among trans travelers.news.booking.comIt seems there was a misunderstanding in your request as the text provided does not contain any specific content to translate. If you provide a specific text in German that you would like to be translated into English, I would be happy to assist you with that.

This form of self-restraint acts like a safety net in uncertain environments. The statements are evidence-based and demonstrate: invisibility can provide short-term protection, although it restricts authenticity in the long term.

Caution through technology and routine reinforcement

Almost half of LGBTQ travelers (44 percent) report taking more precautions today than in the past. These include:

• Share live location (25 percent)
• Delete dating apps before crossing the border (16 percent).
• VPN usage (19 percent) and
• carrying secondary phones (18 percent). Also, 48 percent consciously check their surroundings before showing affection in public.news.booking.comI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that.

Travelers also experience a higher travel burden: 43 percent report increased anxiety, particularly in connection with the use of gender-specific facilities such as toilets or changing rooms (24 percent).The text you provided refers to "news.booking.com." It does not contain any translatable content in German (de) that needs conversion to English (en). It seems like a web address. If you have specific content from the website or text you would like translated, please provide that, and I would be happy to assist!

Positive experiences despite everything

Encouragingly, 82 percent of LGBTQ travelers report at least one positive, identity-related experience in the past year – such as hotel staff using correct pronouns (34 percent), seeing Pride flags (32 percent), having access to gender-neutral bathrooms (32 percent), or LGBTQ staff (32 percent) being present in accommodations.news.booking.com

The travel industry is responding: Booking.com offers a travel filter program "Travel Proud" with LGBTQ-friendly accommodations – more than 142,000 properties in over 20,000 cities have been certified accordingly.news.booking.comI'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.

The use of digital tools as a double-edged sword

Two-thirds of LGBTQ travelers (66 percent) used AI for trip planning. Among them, 43 percent rely on objective, non-judgmental advice and 39 percent see AI as a helper in finding hard-to-locate LGBTQ-friendly places. 37 percent feel safer asking sensitive questions about the scene to AI rather than to people. 30 percent would like an LGBTQ filter option when booking online.The text appears to be a URL and cannot be translated as it does not contain any translatable content.

Background: Scope and Method

The study is based on responses from around 13,300 LGBTQ travelers from 19 countries across all continents. The survey took place between February and March 2026, and participants had to be at least 18 years old and have planned or influenced an overnight trip in the past twelve months.news.booking.com

Outlook: Authenticity versus Security in the Balancing Act

The results paint a clear picture: Many LGBTQ travelers are willing to hide their identity in order to travel safely. Digital tools and certified accommodation options provide partial solutions, but authenticity and safety often remain in a critical tension.

The industry is faced with the challenge of creating inclusive and visible spaces that allow travelers to be their true selves – without compromise.