Last year, we ran a feature on LGBTQIA+ travel and tourism as Pride Month 2025 drew to a close, highlighting inclusivity regardless of gender or sexual preference.

In the nearly twelve months that have passed since then, we need to look into how much has changed in the sector since we published the piece.

As of press time, it is estimated that the global LGBTQIA+ travel sector covers up to ten percent of the world’s travel and tourism industry and is presently worth between US$357 billion to US$390 billion, surging at a compound annual growth rate of up to eight percent.

It also pays to note that the sector is exceptionally dynamic: indeed, thanks to ongoing sociopolitical shifts, the map of destinations welcoming people of any and every orientation has changed significantly, leading to adjustments on the part of both travellers and travel professionals.

Which nations are pro-equality in 2026?

If we go by the news, the United States has become less welcoming to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially given the paradigm shift towards more conservative thinking.

A recent inquiry on global discussion site Reddit saw participants actively dissuading an individual from travelling to the US on the grounds that the mood regarding the queer community is incredibly volatile and could escalate at any time.

As one Redditor put it: “I personally wouldn't go there right now, not because it's queer unfriendly, although it's clearly getting worse in that aspect too, but because it's in a very weird and unstable place right now.”

As a result, those seeking friendlier shores are making their way north to Canada, extremely south to New Zealand, or into Central Europe though Malta, Portugal, and Spain.

Considering its status as one of the world’s biggest Roman Catholic states in terms of the percentage of its population baptised into the faith, Malta continues to rank high as one of the most inclusive and welcoming nations around the globe.

According to the researchers behind the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) Europe Rainbow Map, Malta is the continent’s leading inclusive destination due to its strong protections for family rights, hate crime legislation, and country-wide gender recognition.

Interestingly, especially given how much more conservative Asian nations are compared to their western neighbours, Asia takes pride (no pun intended) in being more inclusive and welcoming.

Japan, Nepal, Taiwan, and Thailand all lead the way in terms of offering safe and welcoming destinations for travellers; Cambodia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam, while not yet completely open, have also been much friendlier and have offered more provisions for safety.

Despite these developments, up to 55 percent of queer travellers err on the side of prudence by vetting locations for inclusivity and general safety prior to booking their trips.

Unfortunately, this also means that up to 43 percent cancel their travel plans owing to perceived hostility in a destination.

Emergent trends for 2026

For this year, prioritising safe and sustainable destinations is a major trend that industry watchers have noted among LGBTQIA+ travellers.

At the same time, the concept of safe adventure is emerging as a trend to watch, particularly in Hispanophone and Lusophone nations in Europe, as well as Latin America.

According to Pablo De Luca, president of the Argentine LGBT Chamber of Commerce: “Seven out of ten LGBTQ+ travelers actively seek outdoor activities, and more than 20 percent are willing to try experiences like ziplining or hiking. In Argentina, that balance comes alive in Patagonia: trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier or hiking in El Chaltén, then unwinding at a lodge overlooking the Andes.”

De Luca adds that family travel is also gaining ground in the community, as more than 50 percent of LGBTQ+ travellers hit the road with their partners, whilst one out of every four travels with family members.

He likewise points out:  “These are not ‘rainbow families,’ a term that often feels more like marketing than reality, but diverse families seeking safe, respectful destinations and meaningful experiences.”

Meanwhile, despite harsher laws and regulations against the community in much of the United States, gay and queer travellers making their way over for Pride Month celebrations are doing so with more than a dash of empowered defiance.

Speaking to the Associated Press, Haddon Township Pride president Isis Petrie Williams declared: “We decided to have a radical expression of joy, acceptance and love, centered on exposure and community connection.” 

In a world that is being consumed by hate, ignorance, and fear, that sort of defiance is heartening, not just for members of the community, but for those of us who remain their staunch allies.