Booking.com has found that more than half of Thai LGBTI tourists do not "come out" on holiday to avoid negative experiences.
Released last week, its latest Travel Proud Research Report draws upon insights from around 13,300 LGBTI travellers across 19 countries. The survey was carried out between February and March. Participating respondents must be at least 18 years old, identify as LGBTI, and have travelled in the last 12 months.
Only 45% of Thai LGBTI tourists are out when travelling, compared to 83% who are out to close friends. While over half of them conceal identity, the number increases when asked about where they want to go. Some 60% are willing to hide identity in an exchange for experiencing bucket-list destinations.
Meanwhile, 65% of Thai LGBTI tourists report being more cautious than they were a few years ago, from sharing their live locations with trusted contacts (28%) to deleting dating apps before border crossing (23%) and using VPNs to disguise activity or access blocked sites (25%). Some 61% constantly scan their surroundings before showing affection to partners in public.
However, transgenders report confronting particular challenges. Thirty-six percent of Thai trans tourists feel more anxious, compared to 43% across Asia and 27% globally. Using gendered facilities, such as bathrooms and changing rooms, triggers the highest level of anxiety (24%), highlighting the reality of travel experience which other groups do not face with the same degree of intensity.
Still, 94% of Thai LGBTI tourists report positive experience. These included being treated respectfully by hospitality staff using correct pronouns (54%), seeing signs of inclusivity at a property, such as pride flags (38%), gender-neutral restrooms (38%) and LGBTI staff members (50%). As a whole, 93% believe that acceptance has improved in the last few years.
The report notes that Thai LGBTI tourists use digital technology to search for information, connect, or reassure. Although 89% use AI to plan their trips, the level of confidence drops to 58% when it comes to trusting provided travel advice. Some 50% believe that AI is efficient at finding LGBTI friendly spots, while 47% feel safer to ask AI sensitive questions than asking a human.
