June 28th, 2023, Bhavika Bansal
Topped by Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands, the recently published LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index by Asher and Lyric takes a close look at individual laws and 9 other key LGBTQ+ safety factors to reflect the most current information in an ever-changing world. However, despite many global destinations having strict legislation and criminalizing consensual same-sex relations, more and more LGBTQ+ travelers are going to these places anyway indicating that the choice of destinations is predicated on more than just safety.
And, with more than a third of LGBTQ+ Americans (36%) intending to take a holiday between June and December 2023, an insight into the most recommended holiday destinations by LGBTQ+ Americans - who have traveled only for leisure in the past year - can be quite useful.
Data from YouGov DestinationIndex reveals that Canada earned the highest Net Recommendation score - which tracks whether consumers would recommend a given destination to a friend or tell them to avoid it - between June 16, 2022, and June 16, 2023. The North American nation - ranked as the safest country for LGBTQ travelers for three years in a row - scored 37.2 points during the 12-month period.
A look at the most recommended destinations by LGBTQ+ Americans displays their apparent willingness to endure longer travel times unlike their counterparts in the UK.
The Souther European nation of Italy sits at number four with a score of 32.7 points. Incidentally, in a similar study in the British market, Italy was number two on the list.
Recognized as one of the most LGBTQ+ accepting and inclusive countries in the world, Australia occupies fifth place, scoring 27.6 points, and is followed closely by France (27.5) and Scotland (26.6).
Known for its hosting of Stockholm Pride, the largest pride festival in Scandanavia, Sweden closes out the top ten with a score of 24.2 points.
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Methodology: YouGov DestinationIndex tracks consumer perceptions toward travel destinations on a daily basis in 30 countries worldwide. A destination’s Recommend score is based on the question: Which of the following destinations would you recommend/tell a friend to avoid and delivered as a net score between –100 and +100. Data referenced in this article from surveys of LGBTQ+ adults aged 18 years, residing in the US, between June 17, 2022, and June 16, 2023. Figures are based on a two-week moving average. Learn more about DestinationIndex.