LGBTQ+ Workers Are Turning Down Jobs and Business Opportunities Over Travel Safety Fears, Booking.com Research Finds

As corporate travel climbs toward a projected $2.4 trillion market by 2031, new research from Booking.com reveals a quieter cost that rarely shows up in travel budgets: LGBTQ+ employees are making significant career compromises because of inadequate employer support for work travel.

A survey of 13,331 LGBTQ+ respondents across 19 markets — conducted between February and March 2026 as part of Booking.com's 2026 Travel Proud Research Report — found that 42% have turned down a lucrative business opportunity due to safety concerns or lack of employer support, while 44% have avoided applying for jobs at companies that lack clear LGBTQ+ travel protections.

Anxiety on the Job

The picture for day-to-day business travel isn't much better. Only half (50%) of LGBTQ+ travelers say they feel relaxed when traveling for work, while nearly 1 in 4 (23%) report feeling anxious. To manage that anxiety, 45% say they have hidden their identity on business trips.

Employers are falling short on communication: only 54% of respondents feel adequately briefed on local LGBTQ+ laws before traveling to a new destination, and just 51% say their company clearly communicates relevant travel policies and resources. While 55% say their direct manager is supportive of their concerns, 42% don't feel comfortable raising those concerns at all.

The stakes extend to trip decisions themselves. Only 52% say they would feel comfortable declining a business trip to a high-risk country without fear of hurting their career.

A Retention and Recruitment Issue

The data has implications for employers beyond duty-of-care. More than half (58%) of respondents say their decision to work for a company would be influenced by whether it offers strong LGBTQ+ travel protections — positioning inclusive travel policy as a competitive factor in talent attraction.

"Business travel is often an inherent part of work and offers valuable opportunities for career growth and development," said Matthias Schmid, SVP Accommodations at Booking.com. "Our research shows that many LGBTQ+ travelers still face uncertainty. Establishing clear pathways to the specific kinds of information and resources LGBTQ+ business travelers need can help create a more inclusive hospitality landscape, ensuring travelers feel confident and supported wherever work takes them."

What Helps

For accommodation providers, Booking.com points to its Travel Proud program — now covering more than 140,000 properties globally — as a practical signal that can help LGBTQ+ business travelers make more confident booking choices. Properties earn the badge by completing third-party inclusive hospitality training. The research is part of Booking.com's broader 2026 Travel Proud Report, which covers LGBTQ+ traveler attitudes across leisure and business travel in 19 markets.