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What’s inside this issue
4 trends reshaping queer travel in 2025
Why so much of it still misses the mark
What we actually crave when we travel and how to get more of that
A quick, gorgeous poll to let me know what you really think
My Favourite Finds
Interview: I sit down and spill some travel tea with Nate on the latest episode of A-Z Jobs podcast
Forget Brighton, Oban is the UK’s new gay and lesbian hotspot
My go-to source for real-time rights and protections when vetting destinations for solo clients, couples, or groups.
The inspiration behind this issue. Worth a read
Main Feature
The Truth Behind 2025 Queer Travel Trends
Popular doesn’t mean perfect: The most “booked” destinations are often the least fulfilling for LGBTQ+ travellers seeking depth. Check safety, but also check the vibe.
LGBTQ+ tourism is booming in 2025. According to Coherent Market Insights, it’s a $357 billion market this year, and rising.
Solo travel is up. Party trips are everywhere.
Hotels and rainbow resorts are cashing in.
But if you've ever booked one of those trips and thought, “This isn’t quite me,” you're not alone.
Let’s unpack what the reports say… and what they don’t.
Cruises & Nightlife Still Dominate
Stats say 37% of LGBTQ+ travel spend in 2025 is focused on nightlife and party-centric trips.
Think big gay cruises, Pride tours, club packages.
If that lights you up, brilliant.
But for many of us, those trips feel noisy, performative, and kind of exhausting.
As Globetrender points out, there’s a growing hunger for Queer Wellness, a shift toward rest, reflection, and real connection.
To me, that looks like:
Wild swimming instead of pool parties
Starry hikes instead of strobe lights
Trips that leave you feeling more like yourself — not less
I’ m not anti-nightlife. I’m just done pretending it’s the only kind of fun.
Solo Travel Is Rising But Still Stressful
The same Coherent report says 41% of LGBTQ+ trips are now solo.
It sounds empowering, and it can be.
But here’s what solo can really mean:
· Quiet anxiety over whether a place is actually queer-welcoming
· Booking what feels safe, not what excites you
· Navigating it all without support
Meanwhile, many LGBTQ+ travellers don’t trust mainstream brands
The Market’s Getting Bigger But Still Feels Narrow
North America and Europe are still the biggest regions for queer travel spend, but the experience? Still painfully narrow.
Inclusion has to go beyond rainbow logos.
And yet, most “inclusive” packages still offer:
Two gents awkwardly offered twin beds
Resorts using Pride flags as decor, not practice
The same ten listicle cities, recycled yearly
Vet every stay, every guide, every location for what actually matters:
Are we safe here?
Are we welcomed, not just tolerated?
Does this trip give us space to be ourselves?
A brief interlude …
Travellers Want Depth, Not Just Destinations
The Vacationer x Globetrender report talks about a new wave:
Queer Family Travel. Poly Holidays. Meaning-led escapes.
People don’t just want to go places. They want to feel something when they get there.
But most mainstream travel still pushes:
· Volume over value
· Speed over substance
· “Instagrammability” over impact
Essentially, we are craving depth over destination, but most trips still focus on doing more, not feeling more.
Quick Recap
LGBTQ+ travel is booming. But let’s not confuse growth with fit.
Most of what’s on offer still centres around:
Big group tours (often, out of budget for the average person)
Loud parties
Narrow definitions of queer joy
Outbound Adventures is different:
No group tour stress. No second-guessing if you’re welcome. No need to perform or pretend.
Want help planning something that actually feels like you?
Hit reply or tap here to get started
Your opinion please… (if you don’t mind)
What’s your biggest travel turn-off?
Outro
That’s a wrap on this week’s issue. If you’ve ever tried to DIY a trip and ended up overwhelmed by tabs, or second-guessing what’s actually safe, that’s exactly what I help with.
Like this issue? Forward it to a travel-loving friend. Or better yet, let me help plan your next one.
I’m Steve, your LGBTQ+ adventure curator. If you’re tired of rainbow-washed travel tips, rigid group tours, or just wondering where to go, you’re in the right place.