Brighton, Mykonos and Phuket lead the list of top beach escapes

Emerging hotspots include Madeira, Sardinia and Zurich

LGBTQ+ Brits spend £3,200 on average annually on travel, taking 3+ trips a year

4-star stays and inclusive experiences are top priorities  

British LGBTQ+ holidaymakers are embracing both beloved classics and exciting new destinations this summer, according to the latest LGBTQ+ edition of the Expedia^® Summer Travel Outlook.

Expedia produces seasonal travel outlooks based on millions of data points, to highlight top destinations and travel trends for the coming season. For this LGBTQ+ edition of the Summer Travel Outlook, 1,000 LGBTQ+ Brits were also surveyed.

The survey* revealed that while iconic destinations like Mykonos, Phuket and Gran Canaria remain favourites, lesser-known gems such as Sardinia, Madeira and Zurich are gaining popularity. Expedia search data shows significant year-over-year increases in interest for Zurich (+225%), Sardinia (+90%) and Madeira (+90%), reflecting a growing appetite for fresh experiences.

Brighton tops the list of beach destinations, with one in three LGBTQ+ Brits planning a visit this summer – outpacing global hotspots like Cape Town, Sitges and Key West.

For city breaks, Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona are the most sought-after destinations, while London, Brighton and Manchester are considered the most LGBTQ+ welcoming in the UK. Bristol and Liverpool also rank highly, highlighting the expanding landscape of inclusive domestic travel.

Husbands and lifestyle influencers Taylor Phillips and Jeff O’Donnell shared their thoughts on the LGBTQ+ edition of the Expedia Summer Travel Outlook.

“Destinations like Thailand, Sardinia, and the Greek Islands are beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming, so it’s no surprise they’re top picks for new international destinations. We love the Greek Islands for their breathtaking scenery, delicious food, and the easy-going, inclusive vibe. Places like Singapore are also making progress, showing how visibility and inclusive travel can shift cultures,” said Taylor.

“Iceland and Madrid stood out for us— we felt safe, seen and celebrated. In Reykjavik, we checked out some great gay bars and drag shows, and in Madrid, we spent time in Chueca, an iconic LGBTQ+ neighborhood, and we found joy and acceptance throughout the city,” said Jeff. “Our advice? Book the trip. Know what you want, plan well, and go. Life’s too short not to explore.”

Travel Trends Among LGBTQ+ Brits

• Travel fanatics that love to splash the cash: LGBTQ+ travellers take at least 3 trips annually, spending on average £3,200. One in five spends over £5,000.
• The Welsh are big spenders: Welsh travellers top the spending chart at £3,990 per year, followed by Londoners at £3,665. East Midlanders spend the least at £2,495.
• Luxury and comfort: Neary half prefer 4-star hotels, two thirds will take a beach holiday this summer, with half also opting for city breaks.
• Chosen family and couples:  Holidaying with their chosen family is as popular as with their immediate family. Over half will take couples holidays (54%) and a quarter regularly travel with parents.
• Foodies first: LGBTQ+ travellers are real foodies, with nice restaurants and bars (46%) topping the list of top activities, followed by cultural attractions (36%) and shopping (31%), with sports ranking lowest (10%).
• Safety first – When choosing a destination, safety remains a priority among the LGBTQ+ community (43%). Community endorsement is key, with half using word-of-mouth from friends in the community when deciding where to go.

“This summer, LGBTQ+ holidaymakers are blending the comfort of familiar favourites with the thrill of discovering new destinations. Here’s my number one tip when choosing your destination: check the ‘LGBTQ+ welcoming’ search filter on Expedia to find a hotel that has opted into our Inclusivity Pledge – ensuring a respectful and welcoming experience for all,” said Melanie Fish, spokesperson for Expedia. “My second tip is to ‘sandwich’ your summer travels: flight prices are lower in June and the least busy time to travel is late August.”

Pride on the Move

With Pride season approaching, Expedia’s survey revealed 54% of LGBTQ+ Brits plan to attend a Pride event this year. Most (76%) plan to travel outside of their hometown for the occasion, with 43% attending with friends and 10% going solo or even bringing a parent.

Smart Travel Tips for the Summer

• Best Days to Fly[1] – For those looking to save, depart around12 June – the cheapest day to fly. 19 and 26 July are the most expensive days, coinciding with the kickoff of school holidays and peak summer demand.
• Quietest Days to Fly – To avoid the crowds, plan to travel on 27 or 31 August – the least busy travel days. 20 June and 25 July are expected to be the busiest.
• Best Days to Stay[2] – The cheapest stay dates are 13 and 24 June, ideal to avoid the midsummer rush. 9 and 10 August are set to be the most expensive nights, likely due to high demand during the summer holidays.
• Quietest Days to Stay – If avoiding crowds is a priority, 27 and 31 August stand out as the quietest, making them perfect for a more relaxing getaway. 6 and 20 June are tipped to be the busiest hotel nights.
• Use Expedia’s LGBTQ+ Welcoming filter – Over 40,000 hotels have opted into an Inclusivity Pledge, to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for hateful, disrespectful or discriminatory behaviour. Many train staff on sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and on using gender-neutral language, and are ready to offer recommendations for gay-friendly neighbourhoods, restaurants, and activities. Usage of the filter is up 155% YoY[3].
• Save with flight alerts: Use Price Tracking on the Expedia app to pinpoint the optimal booking window and receive instant notifications when flight prices drop. 
• Book on Sundays: According to Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report, booking your flight on a Sunday can save up to 22%, compared to booking on a Friday.
• Reserve a hotel with flexible policies: Use Expedia’s search filters to look for properties offering “free cancellation” or “reserve now, pay later,” and opt for the refundable room.  
• Bundling: Combine flights, car hire, hotels and activities to save hundreds of pounds on average when booking multiple items on Expedia. Travellers then have their itinerary all in one place, making it easier to keep track of their journey. 
• VIP Access: Become a One Key member and enjoy various benefits by selecting a VIP Access property available worldwide.

ENDS

Note to Editors

*Data based on a survey conducted by One Poll of 1,000 UK people who identify as LGBTQ+.

---

[1] Based on average daily ticket price on Expedia.co.uk for travel between 1 June 2025 and 31 August 2025

[2] Based on average daily rate changes on Expedia.co.uk for travel between 1 June 2025 and 31 August 2025

[3] Based on searches made on Expedia with the LGBTQ-welcoming filter selected, between May 2024 – May 2025 versus May 2023 – May 2024.