SYDNEY, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Booking.com has released its latest Travel Proud Research Report, the company's most expansive and cross-cutting survey to date, focused exclusively on the attitudes, actions and perceptions of LGBTQ+ travellers. With insights from over 13,000 travellers around the world, including 1,000 from Australia, it identifies key trends shaping LGBTQ+ travel in 2026.
Travellers are hiding their identity to experience the world safely
Globally, travellers who identify as 'not out' report fewer negative experiences on trips, underscoring the difficult trade-offs many continue to make between self-expression and safety. Just 36% of Australian LGBTQ+ travellers say they are 'out' when travelling, compared to 69% who are out with close friends at home. Notably, 44% say they would hide their identity in order to visit a dream destination.
Precautions and anxiety are rising, particularly for trans travellers
More than half (51%) of LGBTQ+ Australians say they are taking more precautions when travelling than in previous years. Common safety measures include sharing live location updates (24%), using VPNs (21%), carrying burner phones (16%) and deleting dating apps before crossing borders (15%). At the same time, 57% say they actively assess their surroundings before showing affection in public. Trans travellers face heightened challenges, with 48% reporting increased anxiety about travel in recent years.
