{"id":881680,"date":"2025-04-25T14:13:41","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T13:13:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=881680"},"modified":"2025-05-14T11:49:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T10:49:00","slug":"guided-tours-lgbtqia-travelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/guided-tours-lgbtqia-travelers\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Going Guided Is the Perfect Choice for LGBTQIA+ Travelers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why do we love touring? Because we see wonderful, diverse groups of people make incredible memories every day \u2013 which is why going guided is the perfect choice for LGBTQIA+ travelers. Not only that, but we\u2019ve heard firsthand from our guests and from the IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association<\/a>) that taking a guided tour is an option that helps them feel safe and supported around the world.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s why going guided is one of the best choices for LGBTQIA+ travelers, as we dive into the best ways to travel, hear what past guests love about going guided, and explore what fellow travelers can do to be supportive allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why are guided tours a good option for LGBTQIA+ travelers? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hear from Auston Matta, Marketing Director of IGLTA, the world\u2019s leading network of LGBTQI+ welcoming tourism businesses about the inclusive travel landscape and the best ways to travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IGLTA works to promote equality and safety within LGBTQIA+ tourism worldwide and provides free information and travel resources for both businesses and consumers. Members of the organization’s extensive network include LGBTQI+ friendly accommodations, transport, destinations, service providers, tour operators, events and travel media located in over 80 countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Auston
Meet Auston, Marketing Director of IGLTA<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cTour operators were probably one of the very first segments of LGBTQI+ tourism,\u201d Auston tells us. \u201cThere were several companies that started back in the 70s and 80s creating tours for LGBTQI+ people. The way that they did that is that they found a select group of suppliers, such as a hotel or a tour guide, in specific regions and countries that could create a safe space for LGBTQI+ travelers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhether you\u2019re straight, LGBTQI+, female, male, able bodied or have a disability, as travelers we all want the same thing. First and foremost, that\u2019s to have a great time,\u201d says Auston. \u201cBut the thing that underrepresented groups or discriminated groups struggle with is that they also want to feel welcome and safe. And some of these communities don\u2019t always feel like that.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Related blog<\/span>\n \n

9 of the safest destinations worldwide for LGBTQ+ travellers<\/h2>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOne of the most inclusive travel options is guided travel,\u201d says Auston. \u201cSpecifically, for the LGBTQI+ community, if you have tour operators that are creating experiences that they really ensure are more welcoming to the LGBTQI+ community.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the most part for most touristic destinations, if you respect the local customs and laws and have the right travel partners, you can create a great experience for anyone who wants it. This is how guided tours, and the tour operators can really help support providing safe and welcoming travel experiences for the LGBTQI+ community anywhere around the world, where it\u2019s justifiably safe to do so.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hear it best from our guests <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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We asked past Trafalgar guests how they felt when they went guided with us, as part of the LGBTQIA+ community \u2013 and we’re proud to share their words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Craig & Graham <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Past guests Craig and Graham from Adelaide, South Australia, have joined us on two tours \u2013 and they’ve been some of the most memorable trips we’ve had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On their first Trafalgar tour, the Grand European<\/a>, they got engaged on a magical sunset cruise beneath the Eiffel Tower. A year later, they decided to tie the knot in Dubrovnik while on Balkan Delight<\/a> with their newfound tour friends (who then became an even bigger part of their story).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGraham and I have been so grateful for our experiences on tour with Trafalgar \u2013 the tour directors and guests have all shown such positive, progressive and inclusive attitudes, which has made each trip feel like family,\u201d says Craig. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t have asked for better allies, from the guests who embraced us with such warmth and happiness during our Paris proposal, and those who ultimately became our wedding guests in Croatia.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI mean, the tour director Tod, thoughtfully helped to arrange our surprise wedding, and fellow guests Cassie and Kristen became our groomsmaids with, Ashlinn performing the ceremony\u2026 now that is being an ally to the absolute max!\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Craig
Craig and Graham, pictured at their Trafalgar wedding<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Keith<\/strong> R<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keith entered this year\u2019s Trafalgar Unlocked Awards, telling the story of a spectacular European trip with his partner where they traveled across Amsterdam, Lucerne and Paris. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This trip was our first trip to Europe and it was an absolute dream,” he wrote. “As a same sex couple travelling, we felt so safe and welcomed. Our Travel Director and driver were so friendly, welcoming, accommodating and knowledgeable.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Related blog<\/span>\n \n

\u2018The most magical moment of our lives’ \u2013 Craig’s surprise proposal in Paris<\/h2>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Our Travel Directors\u2019 favorite destinations for LGBTQIA+ travelers <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Who better to give the scoop on the best places to travel for members of the LGBTQIA+ community than our Travel Directors?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"kyle
Meet Kyle, one of our incredible Travel Directors<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Kyle Olsen <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though he calls Sydney, Australia home, Travel Director Kyle Olsen (@travelling_kyle<\/a>) is always on new adventures as he travels the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite LGBTQ+ destination: Amsterdam <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNetherlands was the first country to legalise to same sex marriage. I just love the freedom that there is. You can walk down the street holding your partner\u2019s hand without fear of someone saying anything or turning a head. It\u2019s just natural. We try to go to Amsterdam Pride every year (in the first weekend of August). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Gianluca
Meet Gianluca, one of our fabulous Travel Directors<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Gianluca Carlo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find Travel Director Giancarlo (@gianlucatraf<\/a>) across Europe on trips like our Great Italian Cities<\/a> tour. His husband, Gordon Spicer, is also a Travel Director with Trafalgar. \u201cI have been on the road for more than 25 years! We have LGBTQ+ travellers on many tours and we never make anybody feel different,\u201d Gianluca tells us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite LGBTQ+ destination: New York <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNew York is great because nobody \u2018cares\u2019 what you are, who you are, what you do. And the same for London and Scandinavian countries (these are definitely some of the best LGBTQ+ friendly travel destinations). You just feel free! And even in Thailand, where even the \u2018third sex\u2019 is accepted.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Related blog<\/span>\n \n

A guide to San Francisco’s fascinating LGBTQ+ history<\/h2>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Support local LGBTQI+ people <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLGBTQI+ people are obviously not a monolith. We come in all ages, shapes, sizes and backgrounds,\u201d says Auston from the IGLTA. \u201cFor many LGBTQI+ people, when they can and when it\u2019s safe and makes sense, they do like to understand what the local connection is, or the connection to the local community.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor example, this cafe is LGBTQI+ owned, this LGBTQI+ figure had a historical impact, or if you want to go out to nightlife in gay bars, this is where they are. Maybe it\u2019s a smaller place, but someone knows that a particular restaurant is LGBTQI+ friendly. If you can pull from the local community that you\u2019re visiting and find like a connection to whatever audience you have, that elevates the travel experience. Even if it\u2019s only one or two touch points in a trip it\u2019s really helpful to know and makes us feel connected.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Trafalgar (@trafalgartravel)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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How to be a supportive ally for LGBTQIA+ travelers <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not just up to members of the LGBTQIA+ community to make each other feel safe \u2013 all travelers have a responsibility to respect and protect each other. We asked Craig and Graham to talk about their experiences and give us some insights on how to be the best LGBTQ+ ally when traveling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you first meet your tour companions, don\u2019t make assumptions about their identities or relationships, based on their appearance. Be respectful of gender identity and use inclusive language, when talking to or about LGBTIQA+ people. This will have an immediate impact in helping your new friends to feel comfortable and confident to be themselves on tour.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnderstand that traveling to some countries can present cultural and legal challenges for those in the LGBTIQA+ community to navigate. Create supportive, safe spaces when exploring on tour and be sure to exercise discretion,\u201d they continued.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCall out any discriminatory language or behaviours. Casual homophobia is still a big issue for the LGBTIQA+ community. Used directly or indirectly, it negatively impacts the travelling experience for anybody who identifies as LGBTIQA+, and those with family, friends or colleagues who identify. If you don\u2019t feel comfortable confronting the behaviour, raise the matter with your tour director.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Why do we love touring? Because we see wonderful, diverse groups of people make incredible memories every day \u2013 which is why going guided is the perfect choice for LGBTQIA+ travelers. Not only that, but we\u2019ve heard firsthand from our guests and from the IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association) that taking a guided tour is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":881687,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4909,23020,4908],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-881680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-stories","category-touring-with-trafalgar","category-travel-tips-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Going Guided Is the Perfect Choice for LGBTQIA+ Travelers - 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