The global travel industry is undergoing a transformation, and at the heart of this change lies a powerful, vibrant, and often overlooked force—the LGBTQIA+ community. Valued at a staggering $331 billion in 2024, the global LGBTQIA+ travel market is expected to soar to $552 billion by 2031. This isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement. And in India, where an estimated 140 million people identify within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, the opportunity is not just economic—it’s cultural, social, and deeply human.
Despite the promise this market holds, the journey is far from smooth for LGBTQIA+ travellers. For many, travel is not a liberating escape but a complex experience filled with anxiety, discomfort, and, at times, outright discrimination. Rudrani Chettri, founder of Mitr Trust and a trailblazing trans rights activist, captures the sentiment best:
“It is the experience of almost all trans and gender-diverse people. We have gone through a lot of pain, which makes us uncomfortable, traumatizes us, and keeps telling us that we’re not welcome in these spaces.”
For gender-diverse individuals, even something as routine as checking into a hotel or boarding a flight can turn into a triggering ordeal. But times are changing—and fast. With growing awareness, the Indian travel and hospitality industry is slowly starting to recognise the power and potential of inclusive travel. More than just a moral obligation, inclusivity has become a strategic business imperative.
One key driver of this change is India’s youthful population. Nearly 50% of Indians are millennials or Gen Z, and within this group, up to 25% are queer-affirmative. This demographic is shaping new consumer behaviors—ones that demand representation, inclusivity, and authenticity. They are not just looking for places to stay—they’re looking for spaces where they can truly be themselves.
LoAnn Halden, Vice President of Communications at the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), highlights this shift:
“The LGBTQ+ community in India is in a position to revamp and transform the travel and hospitality industry. With this symposium, we aim to tap into a market that is very much willing and ready to engage.”
But while the intention is there, the implementation remains a challenge. Discrimination, lack of sensitisation, and the absence of clear policies continue to make travel a complicated experience for LGBTQIA+ individuals—especially in smaller towns and non-metro regions where inclusivity is still a foreign concept.
Education and training are key. It’s not just about waving a rainbow flag during Pride Month. It’s about creating everyday, lived experiences of acceptance. Aashin Moitra, General Manager of Kitty Su, underscores the importance of cultural competency:
“The people working in these organisations should be trained to interact with us… that’s paramount.”
Simple but meaningful changes—like training staff on gender pronouns, ensuring non-discriminatory check-ins, and creating visual cues that signal a safe space—can completely transform the travel experience for a queer traveller. These aren’t costly reforms, but they are deeply impactful ones.
Moreover, inclusivity shouldn’t be treated as a side project—it should be embedded into the business model. From hotel chains to boutique travel companies, brands that prioritize the LGBTQIA+ traveller are already seeing the benefits. The “pink economy”, powered by the community’s significant purchasing power, is a growing global force.
Vivek Shukla, CEO of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, explains this emerging dynamic:
“The pink economy, driven by the purchasing power of the LGBTQ+ community, is emerging as a powerful catalyst globally. Inclusive businesses and policies are unblocking new markets, fostering innovation, and enhancing brand employability.”
Inclusion isn’t just good ethics—it’s good economics.
Travel has always been about more than movement—it’s about freedom, identity, and self-expression. For the LGBTQIA+ community, these values carry even deeper meaning. And as India’s travel and hospitality industry steps into the future, embracing this community is not just about capturing a lucrative market. It’s about creating a country that says—you belong here.
The path forward is clear: train with intention, listen with empathy, and build with inclusivity at the core. The LGBTQIA+ traveller is ready. Now, it’s time for India’s travel sector to meet them with open arms.
