Puerto Vallarta, Phuket and Mykonos lead the list of top beach escapes

Emerging hotspots include Gran Canaria, Sardinia and Alicante

Almost a third of LGBTQ+ Americans spend over $5,000 on average annually on travel, taking 3+ trips a year4 and 5-star stays and inclusive experience are top priorities

American LGBTQ+ vacationers 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+ Americans were also surveyed.

The survey* revealed that while iconic destinations like Key West and Puerto Vallarta remain favorites, lesser-known gems in Europe such as Gran Canaria, Sardinia and Alicante in Spain are gaining popularity. Expedia search data shows significant year-over-year increases in interest for Gran Canaria (+125%), Sardinia (+110%) and Alicante (+70%), reflecting a growing appetite for fresh experiences, especially in Spain.

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

For international city breaks, Paris, Tokyo and London are the most sought-after, while Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Miami are considered the most LGBTQ+ welcoming in the US. New Orleans (5^th) and San Diego (6^th) also ranked highly, beating out LGBTQ+ favorites Fire Island, New York (10^th) and Provincetown, Massachusetts (15^th), 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 Key West, Puerto Vallarta & Provincetown are stunning, spirited and unapologetically welcoming – no wonder they’re summer favorites. We’ve been lucky enough to visit all three and what ties them together is that unmistakable ‘come-as-you-are’ vibe that instantly makes you feel celebrated and at home.

“Here in the U.S, it’s no shock that LGBTQ+ powerhouses like Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco topped the list – each city is rich in queer history, visibility, and non-stop celebration. Globally, it’s also inspiring to see places like Singapore making progress, showing how visibility and inclusive travel can shift cultures.

“Our best travel advice? Book the trip. Know what you want, plan well, and go. Life’s too short not to explore.”

Travel Trends Among LGBTQ+ Americans

• Travel fanatics that love to splash the cash: LGBTQ+ travelers take at least 3 trips annually, spending on average $3,775. Almost a third (30%) spend over $5,000.
• Big spenders are in the West: Travelers from the West Coast top the spending chart at $4,098 per year, followed by North Easterners at $4,031. Those in the Southwest spend the least at $3,450.
• Luxury and comfort: Nearly half prefer 4-star hotels, with over a third opting for 5-star stays. Two thirds plan to take a beach vacation this summer, with almost half opting for a road trip – proving more popular than city breaks or spa stays.
• Chosen family and couples:Vacationing with their chosen family is as popular as with their immediate family. Half will take couples vacations (50%) and one in five regularly travel with parents.
• Foodies first: LGBTQ+ travelers are real foodies, with nice restaurants and bars (41%) topping the list of top activities, followed by shopping (36%) and checking out LGBTQ+ nightlife (31%), with sports ranking lowest (12%).
• Safety first – When choosing a destination, safety remains a priority among the LGBTQ+ community (39%). Community endorsement is key, with over half using word-of-mouth from friends in the community when deciding where to go.

“This summer, LGBTQ+ vacationers are blending the comfort of familiar favorites 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: domestic stays are lower in June and the least busy time to fly is late August.”

Pride on the Move

With Pride season approaching, Expedia’s survey revealed 60% of LGBTQ+ Americans plan to attend a Pride event this year. Most (76%) plan to travel outside of their hometown for the occasion, with 47% attending with friends and 15% going solo or even bringing a parent (9%).

Smart Travel Tips for the Summer

• Best Days to Fly¹ – For those looking to save, depart on August 19 or 25 – cheapest days to fly domestically or August 18 or 23 for international flights. June 27 is the most expensive day for both international and domestic flights, coinciding with the summer rush.
• Quietest Days to Fly – To avoid the crowds, plan to travel on August 25 or 26 – the least busy travel days. June 5 and 19 are expected to be the busiest.
• Best Days to Stay² – The cheapest domestic stay dates are June 1 and 8, ideal to avoid the midsummer rush. August 26 and 29 are the cheapest for those looking for stays overseas. As the summer progresses, prices climb significantly around major holidays, with July 2 and 3, standing out as the most expensive dates due to increased demand surrounding the 4th of July celebrations
• Quietest Days to Stay – If avoiding crowds is a priority, August 25 and 26 stand out as the quietest, making them perfect for a more relaxing getaway. June 5 and 19 are tipped to be the busiest domestically and June 7 and 14 internationally.
• 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% YoY³.
• Flight Deals⁴: Use Expedia’s latest money-saving tool, available exclusively on the app, to unlock fares that are at least 20% cheaper than the typical estimated price.
• Save with price alerts⁵: Use Price Tracking on the Expedia app to pinpoint the optimal booking window and receive instant notifications when flight prices drop. 
• Book once, earn twice: Unlock the benefits of One Key membership by earning OneKeyCash™ on eligible Expedia bookings. Input the airline mileage plan details at checkout to earn twice, turning each trip into a more rewarding experience. 
• Price Drop Protection⁶: Use Expedia’s Price Drop Protection, which provides an automatic refund if the flight fare decreases on Expedia after booking. Available for purchase and on the app, Gold and Platinum One Key members on eligible bookings will automatically receive a refund in OneKeyCash
• Opt for morning flights: According to Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report, morning departures are less prone to cancellations than flights after 3 p.m., highlighting the benefits of seizing the day.  

ENDS

Note to Editors

¹The popular destinations list is based on lodging searches on Expedia.com between December 9, 2024, and March 9, 2025, for travel between June 1, 2025 and August 31, 2025 compared to the same time in 2024.

²The trending destinations list is based on lodging searches on Expedia.com between December 9, 2024, and March 9, 2025, for travel between June 1, 2025 and  August 31, 2025 compared to the same time in 2024.
³Based on average daily rate changes and average daily ticket price on Expedia.com for travel between June 1, 2025 and August 31, 2025

⁴Expedia predicts flight deals based on historical data collected from searches made on or by Expedia for this route. See site for details.

⁵Price predictions are not a guarantee and are available to members on select routes. 

⁶Price Drop Protection is available for a fee on eligible flights. Refund will be the difference if the price of your flight on Expedia drops. Terms apply. See site for details. 

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