In a 2014 survey, 82 percent of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) participants reported that they took a vacation in the previous 12 months, with 29 percent taking five or more trips per year, making LGBT travelers one of the most lucrative segments of the global travel market.
These travelers, though, face challenges when visiting destinations that are unfriendly or oppressive toward LGBT travelers.
These travelers, though, face challenges when visiting destinations that are unfriendly or oppressive toward LGBT travelers. US News & World Report spoke with Crown World Mobility’s Benedict Slonecki (Intercultural and Language Training and Partner Support Coordinator) and
Lisa Johnson (Global Practice Leader, Consulting Services) about the steps LGBT travelers can take to avoid potentially risky situations and make the most of their travel.
Top tips every LGBT traveler should know:
- Research is key to pinpointing places of potential danger and knowing in which countries it is illegal to identify as LGBT
- Understand the political and social climate of the country you’re visiting
- Seek out local support from LGBT social and professional groups and understand local immigration laws
- Be knowledgeable about your surroundings and the places you visit
- Acclimate to a new place by understanding acceptable local behaviors and customs