From Turin To Sydney, Booking.com Lists Best LGBTQ+ Friendly Destinations Across The Globe

This Pride Month, Booking.com has revealed that it has surpassed a major milestone that was aimed at making its properties more inclusive for LGBTQ+ travellers. Their Travel Proud program has reached 1,00,000 properties across the world. This means 1,00,000 accommodations that are safe, offer hospitality steeped in empathy offer a space for patrons of the LGBTQ+ community to be their most authentic selves. Moreover, the travel platform even listed the best LGBTQ+-friendly destinations across the globe.

Booking.com Has 1,00,000 Travel Properties Across The World

Exploring the globe should be an experience that allows one to let down their hair, knowing they are safe and can be their truest self. Research by Booking.com reveals that the majority of travellers of the LGBTQ+ community in India believe that their being part of their community needs to be taken into consideration while planning their trip. About 86% of LGBTQ+ travellers in India believe their identity can impact the way they plan their trip.

The research further states that three out of four even consider if they can be their truest self while travelling. This thought is a decision-making factor when it comes to choosing a travel destination or charting out their travel plans. In 2021, Booking.com launched the Travel Proud program to ensure travel is a safe, enjoyable and inclusive experience for all.

This program involves exclusively training the hospitality staff at properties to sensitise them about the LGBTQ+ community. It helps the staff understand the challenges faced by the travellers. The staff is sensitised to know what they must do on their part to make their guests feel more welcome.

In four years, this Pride Month, Booking.com has achieved a key milestone where it has clocked in 100,000 Travel Proud properties across the globe. Spanning 150 countries in 16,000 cities, the accommodations offer a safe and inclusive nest for the LGBTQ+ community. Globally, this figure is up by a whopping 49% since last year. In India, Booking.com’s LGBTQ+friendly properties have recorded a 51% year-over-year rise.

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7 Best LGBTQ+ Friendly Destinations You Can Visit

Meanwhile, Booking.com even shared its list of the 7 best LGBTQ+ friendly destinations from across the globe. There are classic destinations, newer ones and more.

1. Turin In Italy

Turin is the home of Italy’s first gay liberation movement, FUORI! This destination has elegant boulevards, vibrant cafes, cultural landmarks, chocolate tastings and more. In Turin, travellers can choose from homestays to 5-star luxurious properties.

2. Panama City In Panama

Panama City is Central America’s newly emerging LGBTQ+ traveller hotspot. The progressive spirit of the destination can be seen in its inclusive rooftop bar scene and community events. There are engineering marvels, local delicacies and buildings boasting colonial charm here.

3. Zurich In Switzerland

Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich has a rich LGBTQ+ history as it’s home to Der Kreis. This is an early gay rights organisation that dates back to the 1930s. Travellers can stay in boutique hotels, nest in comfy serviced apartments while they cram their itinerary with famous lake visits, open-air pool dips and city explorations.

4. Brighton & Hove In UK

Hailed as the UK’s gay capital, Brighton & Hove is a seaside city with a progressive spirit. The drag brunches, LGBTQ+ owned cafes and proud street art add to the inclusive vibes of the city. Stunning beaches, vintage finds and a museum that talks all about the Pride’s evolution are must-visits.

5. Florianópolis In Brazil

A beacon of freedom and community spirit, Florianópolis in Brazil is one of the top LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in the world. There are plenty of inclusive spaces for community members, coupled with unparalleled scenic gems like jungle trails and lagoons. To wind down a day of exploration, there are beachside bars, drag shows and more in the evenings.

5. Chicago In USA

A trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ celebration is Chicago, where pride clubs, bars and drag shows, drag brunches, and art exhibitions are what make community members feel at home. Chicago also hosts Pride Fest, a larger-than-life, bold and grand pride parade.

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6. Sydney In Australia

A global LGBTQ+ hotspot, Sydney has a vibrant pride scene with rainbow crossings, LGBTQ+ friendly neighbourhoods and bars and more. There’s also drag bingo and inclusive surf clubs where travellers seeking diverse experiences are warmly welcomed.

7. Porto In Portugal

In Porto, Portugal, LGBTQ+ travellers are welcomed with cobbled streets, drag and disco nights, inclusive port tastings and Pride-centric film festivals. It’s a wonderful spot for travellers to feel at home.

Now that you know all about Booking.com’s key focus on making their properties LGBTQ+ friendly, do let your loved ones who belong to the community be aware of the amazing things in store for them.

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