The world has become a friendlier place for LGBTQ+ travelers, and the community has never had more options. Companies serving these travelers now cover every continent and interest with romantic escapes, lively group tours and personalized experiences.
We’ve selected the seven companies below for their environmental mindfulness and cultural impact, but each also voices a commitment to inclusive, safe, and accessible travel for all.
Eco-Friendly LGBT Travel Companies
Voyemo
What to Know: Voyemo is a boutique travel company that caters to nature-loving LGBT travelers with tailored escapes on nearly every continent. Practice yoga in Umbria, meditate in Bali, or elevate your fitness in the Alps.
Why We Love It: Voyemo focuses on highly personalized experiences that realize the dreams of its travelers, but it also finds a way to incorporate green travel elements into many of its retreats. Between supporting ecotourism in Costa Rica, engaging local experts, and exploring ways to reduce C02 emissions between destinations, Voyemo has stayed at the forefront of eco-friendly travel.
Wild Rainbow African Safaris
What to Know: Led by LGBT travel pioneer Jody Cole, Wild Rainbow African Safaris (also featured on our list of leading Woman Owned Travel Companies) hosts small-group and custom-designed private tours to Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and seven other countries throughout Africa. Every tour is personally led by Cole, who has visited Africa more than 100 times.
Why We Love It: Wild Rainbow walks the walk on advocacy for local communities and wildlife. The company gives back in a variety of ways, from donating to local causes to visiting wildlife organizations on safari. Jody has also personally advocated for inclusivity in travel through speaking, coaching and involvement in organizations like the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.
Detours Travel
What to Know: Known for flexible, small-group excursions that feel more like traveling with friends than joining a traditional group tour, Detours offers immersive experiences in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Latin America and Africa.
Why We Love It: Detours encourages a relaxed, unhurried pace that invites immersion in local cultures and supports local economies. The length of each trip (8 to 13 days) also promotes investing in a single location, rather than “destination hopping” to reduce environmental impact.
Olivia Lesbian Travel
What to Know: Olivia Travel hosts cruises, riverboat tours, resort trips and outdoor adventures for LGBTQ women. Founded in 1973 as a women’s record label, Olivia Records, the company is one of the world’s oldest established communities for the LGBTQ community.
Why We Love It: Olivia Travel creates a welcoming, inclusive environment for women of all backgrounds and identities to be their authentic selves. Beyond travel, the company celebrates LGBTQ performing artists and hosts a program called Women in Uniform to support LGBTQ veterans.
VentureOut
What to Know: VentureOut offers personally crafted small group tours that fully explore a destination. From the “in between” spaces of Italy to the Basque Lands, travelers go off the beaten path to become immersed in local cultures.
Why We Love It: We love the authenticity behind VentureOut and the clear personal involvement of founder Robert Driscoll behind every tour. Every trip shows reverence for the destination’s history, culture and local community.
Toto Tours
What to Know: Founded in 1990, Toto Tours offers small-group and personal tours to destinations like Bali, Egypt, Sri Lanka and even Antarctica. Choose from outdoor adventures, cultural excursions, or Gay Pride events in major cities.
Why We Love It: The epitome of inclusiveness, Toto Tours makes travel more accessible to all backgrounds, including those who might never have traveled internationally before. The company has designed tours with environmental impact in mind, selecting destinations like Botswana, for example, rather than more heavily trafficked countries.
Out Of Office
What to Know: Out Of Office is a luxury-focused travel designer that offers custom vacations to 47 countries on six continents. As a specialist in personalized travel, the company covers a wide range of interests, from city breaks to safaris.
Why We Love It: Out of Office itineraries highlight eco-friendly lodging and culturally immersive experiences, while encouraging green travel options like rail. The company also offers comprehensive resources to help LGBT travelers safely see the world.
LGBT Travel Resources
These online communities offer helpful resources for LGBT travelers, including recommended companies, advice on global travel, and ways to connect with others in the LGBT community.
ellgeeBE
Part social network, part search engine, this user-friendly travel guide allows LGBT travelers to search LGBT-friendly companies, connect with other travelers, and make recommendations.
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA)
Founded in 1983, the IGLTA is the world’s leading of LGBTQ+-welcoming tourism businesses. Travelers can plan a trip, peruse specials, check out events, and find helpful resources for safe global travel.
GayTravel
A comprehensive resource for gay-friendly hotels, destinations and tours worldwide. Find info for destination weddings, events, cruises, restaurants and clubs that offer an inclusive and welcoming experience for the LGBTQ community.
Did we miss a company you love that fits these values? Do you know a travel founder worth interviewing? Let us know at editor@mindfulescapes.co.