Check in, feel welcome: Booking.com Travel Proud programme reaches 100,000 properties.
Exploring the world should be an exciting and welcoming experience for everyone, but this isn’t always the case. Travelling as an LGBTQ+ person can require an extra layer of consideration and planning to navigate today’s travel landscape. Booking.com research* reveals that for almost half (45%) of Kiwi travellers, being part of the LGBTQ+ community has an impact on trip preparation and for 72%, considering whether they can be their most authentic self while travelling is a key factor.
With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, regardless of who they love or how they identify, Booking.com launched its Travel Proud programme back in 2021. The programme provides free inclusive hospitality training for accommodations to help gain a better understanding of the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ+ travellers, and how to make every guest feel more welcome.
This Pride Month, Booking.com celebrated a key milestone. In only four years, there are now more than 100,000 Travel Proud properties across more than 150 countries and territories and in 16,000 cities and destinations, with a total of 5,000 properties in Australia and New Zealand. This is an increase of 49% from this time last year**, as accommodation partners across the world show their commitment to be more inclusive amid a complex global landscape.
For the majority of LGBTQ+ travellers (77%), seeing increased inclusivity of the travel industry has made them feel more comfortable travelling. Booking.com is sharing 10 LGBTQ+ friendly destinations from around the world***, from classic destinations with a twist, to newer must-visit destinations for LGBTQ+ travellers.
Tucked between rolling hills and a wild, windswept coastline, Wellington is compact but bursting with creativity, culture, and inclusivity. The city boasts a world-class arts scene, indie boutiques, and top-tier coffee. The city also holds an important place in the country’s LGBTQ+ story, home to Aotearoa’s first Pride Week in the 1980s and still proudly hosting the annual Out in the City festival celebrations each March. Explore the city, or stick to central Cuba Street, which buzzes with street performers, vintage stores and colourful eateries. Nearby attractions like Zealandia eco-sanctuary, the Wellington Cable Car and the breathtaking Mount Victoria lookout offer moments of escape and adventure. Film and fantasy fans will love heading to Miramar to tour the Wētā Workshop, the creative powerhouse behind The Lord of the Rings and Avatar.
Where to stay: If you’re after boutique luxury in the heart of Wellington, Ohtel Wellington is a standout option. Officially recognised as a Travel Proud property, this 5-star property in Oriental Bay offers a warm, welcoming stay for all guests. Located just steps from the waterfront and Wellington’s entertainment precinct, Ohtel is perfectly placed for exploring theatres, galleries, restaurants, and the city’s vibrant nightlife. Downstairs, Ohtel Pantry serves up a curated menu of coffee, wine and small bites made with local ingredients, ideal for a relaxed morning or evening dine-in.
Stylish, historic and quietly radical, Turin offers LGBTQ+ travellers a city of substance with layers of culture, courage and cocoa. In the 1970s, it was the birthplace of the country’s first gay liberation movement, laying the foundations for LGBTQ+ rights in modern Italy. Now the country with the most Travel Proud properties in the world (21,283 as of 20 May 2025)****, that progressive spirit endures today in a city that blends tradition with historic rebellion. Turin’s LGBTQ+ scene centres around San Salvario, a creative, cosmopolitan district filled with inclusive bars, clubs and cafés. The birthplace of both vermouth and gianduiotto (hazelnut chocolate), the city is a dream for food lovers. A Fine Chocolate Tasting offers insight into its artisan chocolate-making, with plenty of samples along the way.
Where to stay: For 5* luxury in the centre of Turin, the Principi di Piemonte | UNA Esperienze offers elegance and style with lounges, a gourmet restaurant and a bar providing great views over the city centre. If travellers are looking for a welcoming and homely feel, not just through the Travel Proud programme but with a home-from-home vibe, EDIT Lofts is a modern apartment with a garden and terrace. Although each apartment boasts a fully equipped kitchen, the property’s family-friendly restaurant also serves up Italian cuisine for those times when only service will do.
While more major LGBTQ+ destinations may spring to mind when thinking of a European city break, Zurich’s under-the-radar yet thriving scene should be a top pick for LGBTQ+ travellers with its mix of natural beauty and a bustling, culture-rich city centre. To enjoy what the city has to offer in just six hours, visitors can try The Zurich Mix: Walking tour, Cruise and Cable Car and take the Polybahn funicular to visit the Grossmünster and Rindermarkt in the old town and learn about the city’s past. Zurich has a rich history for LGBTQ+ travellers too; back in the 1930s and 1940s, it was home to Der Kreis (The Circle), a prominent, early gay rights organisation and bi-monthly magazine. Today Bar Kweer occupies the space where the Barfüsser bar, considered one of Europe’s oldest gay bars, once stood and is one of many LGBTQ+-dedicated spaces across the city.
Where to stay: A short walk from the Bahnhofstrasse, Sorell Hotel St. Peter is a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Zurich’s old town. Spacious, modern rooms and a cosy lounge serving breakfast, bar snacks and evening drinks make it a relaxed and well-located base for guests. Those looking for home comforts will enjoy the well-equipped EMA House Serviced Apartments Superior Downtown with its well-appointed kitchen complete with refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, oven, stovetop, toaster and coffee machine.
Brighton & Hove isn’t just LGBTQ+-friendly, it’s LGBTQ+-fabulous. Often hailed as the UK’s gay capital, this vibrant seaside city pairs its progressive nature with end-of-the-pier charm and has long been a draw for the country’s LGBTQ+ community. Head for the Kemptown district, which leads the party with rainbow flags, drag brunches, LGBTQ+-owned cafés and street art that wears its activism with pride. From bottomless mimosas and sequins at Bar Broadway to the outrageous performances at Komedia or Ironworks Studios, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the day. Beyond the glitter and the sparkle, travellers can find plenty more to discover. Wander The Lanes for vintage treasure hunts, ride high above the beach on the i360 tower, catch an exhibition at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery or take this LGBTQ+ History Tour and learn more about the evolution of Brighton Pride.
Where to stay: With its central location, Q Square by Supercity Aparthotels gives visitors easy access to Brighton Pier, the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Railway Station. Equipped with a fitness centre, this aparthotel also offers an outdoor seating area for guests to enjoy the beachside breeze and a drink in the sunshine. For those looking to explore the city on two wheels, bicycle parking is provided.
Florianópolis is more than just a beach paradise; it is a beacon of inclusivity, freedom and community, making it one of the most popular destinations in Brazil for LGBTQ+ travellers. ays here can be spent hiking the luscious jungle trail of Lagoinha do Leste, exploring lagoons like Lagoa da Conceição, or sipping caipirinhas at Praia Mole, the island’s unofficial gay beach, where music fills the air. The island is full of LGBTQ+-friendly spaces, from beachside bars and drag shows to vibrant year-round celebrations where love and expression take centre stage. If travelling to the annual Florianópolis Gay Carnival, expect major festivities with parties, parades and competitions after which visitors can look forward to dancing through the night on Praia Mole.
Where to stay: Set in the heart of Florianópolis’ vibrant LGBTQ+ district, Novotel Florianópolis is ideally placed for those wanting to soak up the city’s energy, from bar hopping and beach days to late-night clubbing. The hotel’s modern, spacious rooms provide a stylish base, while the rooftop infinity pool delivers picturesque views of Baia Norte Bay. It’s a perfect spot for LGBTQ+ travellers looking to experience the city at its most thrilling.
Sydney is a global LGBTQ+ hotspot renowned for its natural beauty and vibrant pride scene. Darlinghurst and Surry Hills are LGBTQ+-friendly neighbourhoods with rainbow crossings, cafes, and bars like the heritage-listed Stonewall Hotel. While the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a highlight, the city’s LGBTQ+ spirit thrives year-round with events like drag bingo, inclusive surf clubs, and art shows at the recently opened Qtopia Museum. Unique experiences include seeing the best of Sydney’s world-class drag scene at The Imperial Eskineville, sunrise yoga at North Bondi, and ferry trips to Manly. Travellers can catch a show by Bangarra Dance Theatre at the Sydney Opera House, Australia’s leading Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander performing arts company.
Where to stay:
Located in the heart of the city, Kimpton Margot Sydney by IHG offers a touch of old-world glamour, art-deco charm and contemporary sensibility. Just around the corner from the world-famous Oxford Street, The Pullman Sydney Hyde Park is a great option for travellers seeking out the nightlife. Its Ecotourism Australia sustainability certification makes it an excellent choice for travellers looking for more sustainable options. Kings Cross, a neighbourhood rich in LGBTQ+ heritage, the Holiday Inn Sydney Potts Point offers affordable sweeping views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
