Introduction to LGBTQ+ Tourism in India
The Australians Alan Maurice and his husband David will return to India for the third time. The couple has already completed the "golden triangle" and connected the cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. At the beginning of this year, they visited Mumbai and Hampi in southern India, which are famous for their temples and palaces. "The idea is to visit Kerala, Kashmir, and Delhi soon – it was on our bucket list," Maurice said. David agrees that his experience in India was very pleasant. "I don’t remember a single bad instance on our travels. We are mindful and vigilant, but many of the places we visited offered comprehensive environments and promoted a strong sense of community," David said.
Growing Demand for LGBTQ+ Tourism
Alan and David are one of the thousands of gay tourists who visit India, an emerging destination for LGBTQ+ travel. New actors have entered the market in response to increasing demand. Companies such as Indjapink, Pink Escapes, Pink Vibgyor, and LGBT Tourism India are among those who concentrate their business on the LGBTQ+ tourism market. They range from high-end luxury experiences to price-conscious backpack options.
Diverse Travel Options
"We have seen that an increasing number of LGBTQ+ travelers have selected our hostels as the basis to explore the diverse and lively spirit of India. They not only come for the sights but also feel respected and part of a larger, inviting community," said Pranav Dangi, founder and CEO of "The Host", a backpacker hostel chain. "We not only hosted but also employed members of the LGBTQ+ community who added an immense contribution to the growth of our organization. Everyone can be free in our rooms."
Why India is an Emerging LGBTQ+ Vacation Destination
According to the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), a network of LGBTQ+ tourism companies, India has made progress in creating a more integrative environment for LGBTQ+. "India is undoubtedly an emerging destination in this travel sector," John Tanzella, President and CEO of IGLTA, said. "In recent years, legal progress such as decriminalization of same-sex relationships and the recognition of a third sex has signaled a broader cultural change in the direction of acceptance," he added.
Increasing Acceptance and Safety
According to the Gay Travel Index from 2024, India ranks 213 out of countries and territories for LGBTQ+ travel safety. "Groups that rise for packages rise steadily, and my business rises every year by 15 to 20% per year. We sensitize our leaders, travel reports, and drivers… It was a good run," Rajat Singla from LGBTQ+ travel agency Pink Vibgyor said. Rajesh Khanna, managing director of Abercrombie & Kent, a leading luxury travel agency, said that the majority of the LGBTQ+ customers of the agency came from North America, and a smaller segment comes from Europe.
High-End Travel Options
High-end trip LGBTQ+ agencies such as "Serene Journeys" offer exclusive and personalized trips, speaking to every traveler before planning their trip. Robindro Saikhom, who runs "Serene Journeys", said that he made several trips to India with his husband. He added that his agency does not market India as a "gay destination" in the paths of cities such as Sitges, San Francisco, or Berlin, which are famous for their pride parades and LGBTQ+ nightlife. "Instead, we present India as a culturally rich, safe, and deeply worthwhile destination – one that offers wellness, heritage, nature, culinary experiences, and meaningful connections," he said.
Growth of LGBTQ+ Tourism
Although there are no precise figures for gay tourism in India due to data protection and data considerations, the IGLTA has recorded clear growth indicators. "IGLTA membership in India has almost doubled in recent years, which has emphasized the increasing recognition of the value and importance of the tourism sector for this diverse global market," said Parth Patnaik, IGLTA membership manager in India. "With neighboring countries such as Nepal becoming more visible, it helps to open India’s eyes to the potential," he added.
Challenges and Future Prospects
India’s top court decriminalized homosexuality in 2018, but same-sex marriage is still not legally recognized. This issue is pending in parliament. Tanzella points out that one of the greatest challenges is to close the knowledge gap because more travel agencies are entering this sector. "The key is ongoing training and authentic examination of the community. And we are confident that marriage equality will be the next important step in the near future," he said.
