Not surprising to observe, most American adults surveyed this month by The Harris Poll, express reservations and go-slow attitudes towards reviving their leisure and business travel habits. Acknowledging serious public health concerns as well as new limits promoting safe travel and accommodations practices, even the most frequent travellers cite caution in making their next plans in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
In many ways, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adults appear to mirror their non-LGBT counterparts, yet depart in key ways including their past frequency of travel. LGBT adults, for example, reported taking an average of 3.6 leisure trips in the past year (compared to 2.3 leisure trips for non-LGBT adults) as well as 2.1 business trips, on average, compared to 1.2 trips by non-LGBT adults.
Other key differences also surfaced in this study:
• LGBT adults are twice as likely to plan travel over Memorial Day weekend vs. non-LGBT adults (8% vs. 4%).
• Asked when they anticipate their next leisure trip, 28% of LGBT adults responded it would take place in the next four months (May-August) when contrasted with 21% of non-LGBT adults. Just over half (51%) of LGBT adults vs. 46% of non-LGBT adults expect to travel for vacation in 2020.
• 46% of LGBT adults (when compared with 37% of non-LGBT counterparts) expect the pandemic situation will be resolved before this year’s summer travel season.
These are some of the results of an online survey conducted by The Harris Poll among 2,508 nationally representative US adults ages 18+ between May 6 and 8, 2020. 284 adult respondents self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) including an oversample.
Complete results of this study can be found at https://theharrispoll.com/travel/.
“Americans so often feel travel is their lifeblood,” said Erica Parker, Managing Director of The Harris Poll. “Our newest benchmark reveals how conflicted, uncertain or confused many of us feel balancing our need to travel with health risks and cautions. It’s especially enlightening to contrast similarities and differences among us, including LGBT travelers.”
Whether travelling or not in the near-term, LGBT respondents reported feeling more comfortable than others making these specific travel choices today:
• Traveling to a US destination: 64% LGBT vs. 58% non-LGBT adults.
• Staying in a hotel: 59% LGBT vs. 50% non-LGBT adults.
• Staying at an Airbnb: 43% LGBT vs. 35% non-LGBT adults.
• Flying commercial aircraft: 43% LGBT vs. 35% non-LGBT adults.
• Travelling to Europe: 35% LGBT vs. 28% non-LGBT adults.
• Attending a crowded event, concert, theme park or beach: 33% LGBT vs. 25% non-LGBT.
• Taking a cruise: 31% LGBT vs. 23% non-LGBT.
Finally, when asked what conditions or arguments will have the greatest impact on their personal decisions favoring leisure travel in 2020, LGBT travelers disproportionately favored several:
• Significantly reduced public health risks: 60% LGBT vs. 54% non-LGBT.
• Strong need for travel/change of scenery: 54% LGBT vs. 43% non-LGBT.
• Compelling travel bargains and promotions: 47% LGBT vs. 36% non-LGBT.
• Personal desire to support a destination and local economy: 48% LGBT vs. 33% non-LGBT.
“All of us working in LGBTQ+ tourism have witnessed the resilience and loyalty of our travel community, yet having data to back this up is essential to ensure that LGBTQ+ travelers are valued as the tourism industry at large begins its recovery,” said John Tanzella, President/CEO of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (www.iglta.org). ”
Congratulations Malta
Also in the news, Human rights group ILGA-Europe has ranked Malta as the European country with the most comprehensive LGBT rights for the fifth year running.
Malta scored 89% in recognition of the laws, policies and lifestyles of the LGBT community on the Mediterranean island.
Malta Tourism Authority’s director UK & Ireland Tolene Van Der Merwe said: “We are so proud that Malta has, once again, been heralded as the number one destination for LGBT travellers in Europe.
“The Maltese have a reputation for compassion and excellent hospitality, and this is absolutely reflected in how all travellers are welcomed to the islands, and one of the reasons why we have managed to retain our place at the top of the Rainbow Index.”
Here are the top and bottom five of the IGLA listing.
Top 5, Rainbow Europe 2020
1. Malta (89%)
2. Belgium (73%)
3. Luxembourg (73%)
4. Denmark (68 %)
5. Norway (68%)