Australians Alan Maurice and his husband, David, are raring to come back to India for the third time.
The couple have already completed the “Golden Triangle,” connecting the cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and earlier this year, they visited Mumbai and Hampi in southern India, famed for its temples and palaces.
“The idea is to visit Kerala, Kashmir, and Delhi soon — it has been on our bucket list,” Maurice told DW.
David agrees that his experience traveling in India was very enjoyable.
“I don’t recall a single bad instance in our travels. We are mindful and watchful, but many of the places we visited offered inclusive environments, fostering a strong sense of community,” David told DW.
Alan and David are among the thousands of gay tourists visiting India, an emerging destination for LGBTQ+ travel. New players have entered the market in response to rising demand.
From high-end to budget travel
Companies like Indjapink, Pink Escapes, Pink Vibgyor, and LGBT Tourism India are among those focusing their business on the LGBTQ+ tourism market. They range from high-end luxury experiences to budget-conscious backpacking options.
“We have seen a rising number of LGBTQ+ travelers choosing our hostels as their base to explore the diverse and vibrant spirit of India. They come not only for the sights but to feel seen, respected, and part of a larger, welcoming community,” said Pranav Dangi, founder and CEO of “The Hosteller,” a backpacker hostel chain.
“We’ve not only hosted but also employed members from the LGBTQ+ community who have added immense contribution towards our organization’s growth. In our spaces, everyone is free to just be.”
Why is India an emerging LGBTQ+ holiday destination?
According to the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), a network of LGBTQ+ tourism businesses, India has been making strides in creating a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
“India is undeniably an emerging destination in this travel sector,” John Tanzella, president and CEO of IGLTA, told DW. “In recent years, legal advancements like decriminalizing same-sex relationships and recognizing a third gender have signaled a broader cultural shift toward acceptance,” he added.
According to the 2024 Gay Travel Index compiled by the Berlin-based International Spartacus Gay Guide, India is ranked 44th out of 213 countries and territories for LGBTQ+ travel safety, which is a significant improvement from its 82nd rank among 150 countries in the 2021 LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index.
“Groups asking for packages are steadily rising and my business is going up yearly by 15 to 20% annually. We sensitize our guides, travel staff and drivers … it has been a good run,” Rajat Singla of LGBTQ+ travel agency Pink Vibgyor told DW.
Rajesh Khanna, executive director of Abercrombie & Kent, a leading luxury travel agency, told DW that the majority of the agency’s LGBTQ+ clientele come from North America, with a smaller segment hailing from Europe.
“There’s growing acceptance of this niche. They love the festival of colors, Holi, and clients are now beginning to explore the south,” Khanna told DW.
High-end travel LGBTQ+ agencies like “Serene Journeys,” which offer exclusive and personalized travel for customers, speak to every traveler before planning their trip.
Robindro Saikhom, who runs “Serene Journeys,” told DW that he has taken several trips with his husband to India. He added his agency does not market India as a “gay destination” in the way of cities like Sitges, San Francisco, or Berlin which are famed for their pride parades and LGBTQ+ nightlife.
“Instead, we present India as a culturally rich, safe, and deeply rewarding destination — one that offers wellness, heritage, nature, culinary experiences and meaningful connections,” he said.
LGBTQ+ tourism rising but awareness needs to spread
Though there are no precise numbers for gay tourism in India due to privacy and data considerations, the IGLTA says it has seen clear indicators of growth, with more travel agencies and tour operators offering LGBTQ+ oriented options over the past year.
“IGLTA membership in India has nearly doubled in recent years, highlighting the tourism sector’s increased recognition of the value and importance of welcoming this diverse global market,” Parth Patnaik, IGLTA’s India membership manager, told DW.
“With neighboring countries, such as Nepal, becoming more visibly inclusive, it’s helping to open India’s eyes to the potential,” he added.
India’s Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality in 2018, but same-sex marriage is still not legally recognized. This issue is pending in Parliament.
Tanzella points out one of the biggest challenges is bridging the knowledge gap as more travel agencies cater to this sector.
“The key is ongoing education and authentic engagement with the community. And we’re hopeful that marriage equality will be the next important step in the near future,” he said.
Edited by: Wesley Rahn
