2019 LGBTQ+ Travel Trends

As a company with more than 6 million listings in 191 countries and 100,000 cities, Airbnb helps more than 2 million people on our platform each day. As part of our mission to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere, we need and want to understand the preferences of the communities using Airbnb to travel. Airbnb is, at its core, an open community dedicated to bringing the world closer together by fostering meaningful, shared experiences among people from all parts of the world, which is what led Airbnb to adopt its non-discrimination policy and our commitment of inclusion and respect.

In a continued commitment to this work, Airbnb is proud to partner with the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Foundation (IGLTAF) to release a recently conducted survey that better helps us understand the 2019 travel trends for the LGTBQ+ community.

Surveying more than 1,000 respondents, results showed that compared to heterosexuals, those who identified with the LGTBQ+ community were more concerned with personal safety and social political climates in their destinations. Half of LGBTQ+ respondents say the State Department’s travel advisories have made an impact on where they choose to travel, compared to 18 percent of heterosexual respondents, for example.*

The release of these survey results follows Airbnb’s announcement last week of We Belong Together, a multi-faceted campaign to commemorate both WorldPride and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising by fostering intergenerational connection within the LGBTQ+ community. As part of We Belong Together, Airbnb will open a unique, pop-up experiential space during NYC Pride, partnering with numerous organizations to offer engaging programming. In addition, Airbnb will be bringing 10 LGBTQ+ elders who were present at the Stonewall Uprising to New York City for the anniversary, to share their stories at the event space.

“Airbnb’s mission is to create a world where anyone can belong. Both the IGLTAF and Airbnb are committed to supporting LGBTQ+ travel and breaking down barriers that exist for those in the community. Our goal is to better understand LGBTQ+ travelers and through this research, we have a better sense of the preferences and challenges such travelers face.”

— Maria Cuba, Airbnb’s Trips and Diversity & Inclusion Program Manager and IGLTA Foundation Board member.

Airbnb is also a member of the Human Rights Campaign’s Business Coalition for Equality and Global Business Coalition, and most recently, produced its first documentary film, “Gay Chorus Deep South.” Earlier this year, Airbnb was a sponsor of IGLTA’s Annual Global Convention in New York City, and the two actively work together on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ travel community.

Below is a breakdown of survey results*:

• Compared to non-LGTBQ+ respondents, LGBTQ+ respondents are more likely to consider 2019 travel to:
  • +13% New York+11% Los Angeles+11% Miami+10% Chicago
• 42% of LGBTQ+ respondents prefer air travel, compared to 31% of non-LGTBA+ respondents.
• 48% of LGBTQ+ respondents are likely to engage in outdoor activities on their next vacation, compared to 41% of non-LGTBA+ respondents.
• 79% of LGBTQ+ respondents say they’re at least somewhat likely to plan a trip to a national park in 2019, compared to 69% of non-LGTBA+ respondents.
• 51% of LGBTQ+ respondents say they’re very likely to take a vacation to the beach in 2019, compared to 44% of non-LGTBA+ respondents.
• When it comes to ranking Airbnb Experiences among the LGBTQ+ community, nature ranks first (28%) followed closely by food and drink (24%), and entertainment (21%).  Among 18-24 year-olds who identify as LGBTQ+, Airbnb comedy Experiences are most popular (24% of respondents marked this as this top choice).
• Half of LGBTQ+ respondents say the State Department’s travel advisories have made an impact on where they choose to travel, compared to 18% of non-LGTBA+ respondents.
• 86% of LGBTQ+ respondents say a vacation destination’s policies toward the LGBTQ+ community are at least somewhat important when selecting where to travel, compared to nearly half (47%) of non-LGTBA+ respondents.
• Over half (51%) of LGBTQ+ respondents say they’re very unlikely to travel to a country where being LGBTQ+ is illegal, compared to 35% of non-LGTBA+ respondents.

*Based on a May 2019 Airbnb commissioned survey in the U.S. of 1982 adults, 1098 of whom identified as LGBTQ+.

The Airbnb Press Room is aimed at journalists. All Homes and Experiences referenced on the Airbnb Press Room are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific Home or Experience listings on the Airbnb platform.