ITB Berlin, together with A3M Global Monitoring and Diversity Tourism, conducted the 2026 LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Survey between December 2025 and May 2026 to assess safety and social acceptance for LGBTQ+ travellers worldwide.
The survey incorporated responses from 69 travel experts and LGBTQ+ travellers who evaluated 28 countries in 2026, with combined data from the first survey in 2025 expanding the assessment to 46 countries and territories.
Top Rated Countries for LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Canada and the Netherlands received the highest scores for respectful treatment and social acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. These nations were noted for positive interactions with police and authorities, as well as
public visibility and acceptance.
Spain and Austria also maintained strong reputations as established LGBTQ+-friendly destinations, confirming their status among top travel choices for queer travellers.
Decline in US Social Acceptance and Rising Safe Spaces
The United States showed notable declines in the perception of social acceptance for LGBTQ+ people between 2025 and 2026. Agreement that LGBTQ+ individuals and couples are treated with respect dropped from 35% to 17%.
Respectful treatment by US police fell from 39% to 17%, while the perception that LGBTQ+ people can safely report discrimination or hate crimes decreased from 52% to 33%. Despite these trends, the perceived accessibility of an active LGBTQ+ scene for tourists
increased from 61% in 2025 to 83% in 2026.
Regional Differences in Germany and Rising Perceptions of No-Go Areas
In Germany, social acceptance varies significantly between urban and rural areas, with larger cities seen as safe and open environments. Conservative rural regions remain areas of concern for some travellers.
The perception of no-go zones for LGBTQ+ individuals in Germany rose from 65% in 2025 to 71% in 2026, indicating heightened concerns about safety in particular regions.
Emerging Digital Risks and The Role of Specialist Networks
The survey and accompanying expert interviews identified increasing digital risks for LGBTQ+ travellers globally, including scams via dating apps and social media platforms, affecting both liberal and restrictive countries.
Experts emphasize the importance of
using local knowledge, specialist tour operators, and professional networks to navigate legal and social challenges. Such resources are especially critical in destinations with complex or deteriorating safety and acceptance conditions.
LGBTQ+ Risk Map 2026 Highlights Legal Progress and Setbacks
The updated LGBTQ+ Risk Map 2026 from A3M Global Monitoring documents ongoing legal and safety developments. Countries like Canada, the Netherlands, Austria, China, and Colombia show progress in LGBTQ+ protections.
Conversely, nations including Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Kazakhstan, and Belarus have introduced new legal restrictions or tightened existing ones, reducing rights and visibility for LGBTQ+ populations.
ITB Berlin, A3M Global Monitoring, and Diversity Tourism aim to build a long-term database
through these surveys to provide reliable data guiding travellers and the tourism sector on LGBTQ+ travel safety.
