The definition of luxury travel varies. And for LGBTQ+ globe-trotters,
it’s about much more than sumptuous
hotels and first-class airline seats.
“Luxury
travel for LGBTQ+ travelers carries a deeper layer,” said Duncan
Greenfield-Turk, chief travel designer and CEO for Global Travel Moments, a
travel agency specializing in upscale travel. “It goes beyond suites, yachts or star ratings. It’s about emotional safety and cultural respect.”
Indeed, these travelers must consider factors that many
others wouldn’t even think about.
“I
have a client who refuses to travel to any destination where being queer is
criminalized—not just out of principle, but out of fear,” Greenfield-Turk
explained. “That means every trip
we design is reviewed with a safety lens first.”
Scott Wismont, founder and luxury travel specialist for Rainbow Getaways, echoes that sentiment.
“It’s not truly luxurious if you’re
second-guessing whether you can hold your partner’s
hand at dinner, or if a resort is going to ‘welcome’ you by switching your king suite to two doubles,” he
said. “We’re not just
looking for five-star properties. We’re looking
for five-star properties that are affirming, celebratory and create space for
us to be fully ourselves.”
From Tolerance to Celebration
Wismont of Rainbow Getaways praises the positive changes he has seen in the travel,
hospitality and tourism industries.
“The
biggest shift has been from tolerance to celebration,” he said. “We’re seeing more inclusive marketing, better staff
training and curated experiences specifically designed with queer travelers in
mind. Another significant evolution is visibility: LGBTQ+ luxury travelers are
no longer a niche audience hidden in plain sight. We’re
proudly front and center, and the industry is starting to reflect that.”
Laurie Whann of Grand Luxe Destinations, a NEST
affiliate travel agency[1] ,
seeks out businesses and organizations that are openly supportive of this
segment.
“Luxury
travel for LGBTQ+ clients isn’t just
about five-star hotels,” she said. “My
goal is always to craft trips where my clients feel respected and cared for—not
just with amazing service, but also with thoughtful, inclusive touches that
affirm who they are.”
Greenfield-Turk of Global Travel Moments notes that
LGBTQ+ travelers can see through false gestures to attract business—especially
during times like Pride Month, when many companies try to jump on the
rainbow-hued bandwagon. His clients “are
highly attuned to authenticity and will not tolerate pinkwashing
or performative inclusion,” he says.
“They
pay close attention to which brands stand with the LGBTQ+ community year-round,
not just during Pride,” he said.
Cultural
Immersion
The desire for authenticity has led to increased demand for
immersive, meaningful travel, according to Greenfield-Turk.
“We’ve
seen a real shift from travel as escapism to travel as connection,” he said. “Now, our clients want meaningful
cultural immersion and a deeper understanding of queer stories in the destinations
they visit.”
Whann of Grand
Luxe Destinations says her clients are also looking for new
experiences.
“Today’s LGBTQ+ travelers, especially younger ones, want
culturally rich, authentic and affirming experiences that reflect who they are,”
she said. “There’s a
real focus on wellness, sustainability and destinations that feel both safe and
celebratory.”
Upscale LGBTQ+ travelers today are gravitating toward
experiences that are both luxurious and deeply meaningful, Whann adds.
Private group buyouts, boutique hotel stays and small-ship
cruises are also growing in popularity, according to Wismont.
“These
trips offer the perfect blend of luxury, privacy and community,” he said,
adding that upscale adventure travel is also on the rise.
Increasingly, LGBTQ+ travel is also fueled by a desire for
meaningful and personally resonant experiences, Greenfield-Turk says.
“Transformational
travel is having a huge moment,” he said. “One
of the most moving itineraries I’ve curated
recently was for a mother and her trans son: a discovery trip in Thailand
centered on reconnection and rebuilding trust. He was preparing to move back to
the U.S., and this journey gave them a space to heal and rediscover their bond
in a destination that embraced them fully. These are the moments that define
luxury for our clients today.”
Hotels and Destinations That Get It
Industry insiders point to a growing list of luxury hotels
that embrace inclusivity. Greenfield-Turk, for example, praises luxury brands such
as Four Seasons, Belmond and Rosewood for their dedication to
diversity.
“They
consistently deliver inclusive service at every touchpoint, and that makes a
world of difference,” he said.
Independent hotels like Volga in Mexico City, meanwhile, seek certification from
organizations that provide sensitivity training, such as Queer Destinations.
An ever-wider variety of destinations also appeal to upscale
LGBTQ+ travelers with inclusive imagery and marketing; organizations from Discover Puerto Rico
and the Guadalajara Convention
and Visitors Bureau to Tourism Australia and Explore France feature
robust listings for queer travelers, and back it up with an array of welcoming
luxury hotels, tours and attractions.
No matter where upscale LGBTQ+ travelers go, Whann says that
one factor remains consistent.
“In
the end, luxury isn’t about what’s
offered,” she said. “It’s about the freedom to be your authentic self while
exploring the world.”
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