A recent study into what it's like to travel for those who identify as LGBTQ+ has found 61 percent of New Zealand respondents have experienced less than welcoming or uncomfortable experiences on their journeys.
However, Kiwis involved in the study reported less negative travel experiences than that of the global average - internationally the figure was 82 percent.
The research was commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted in April and May with a sample size of 5514 LGBTQ+ travellers internationally, 100 of whom were in New Zealand.
Of those Kiwis, 37 percent said they'd experienced discrimination while travelling, ranging from being stared at, laughed at, verbally abused or subjected to stereotyping.
But it's not all bad news. More than half (54 percent) of the Kiwis surveyed said being part of the LGBTQ+ community actually makes them feel more confident as a traveller.
Unsurprisingly, many LGBTQ+ travellers factor in how welcoming a destination is while planning travel, and 58 percent of the New Zealand-based respondents said they are more likely to seek out attractions or activities that are tailored to rainbow communities.
That is part of the reason Queenstown's Winter Pride is such a success.
The 2022 festival kicks off today and runs through to September 4.
This year, Booking.com is returning to Winter Pride with 'Proud Portraits', which offers travellers the chance of having their photo captured by award-winning queer photographer Becki Moss at custom photo stations.
