Travel behaviors and destination preferences among the LGBT population in Thailand.

Abstract

The results in term of travel behaviors illustrate that LGBT people prefer to choose accommodation based on the staff's non-discriminatory behavior and the variety of facility more than heterosexual people, while safety issue is not different for both groups. LGBT tend to travel with couple/spouse more than family. On the other hand, straight people are likely to travel with couple/spouse and family in similar proportions. The finding also shows that Pantip website is the best channel of travel information resource for both groups in order to promote marketing campaigns on travel blogs. For tourism attributes, there are no differences between the LGBT and heterosexual groups. Both of them somewhat agree to choose travel destinations by interesting attractions, atmosphere, easy transportation and decent level of safety. In addition, LGBT choose Prage, Czech Republic and New York, United Stated as the most preferable destinations, while heterosexual people prefer Tokyo, Japan. Interestingly, the result also illustrates that LGBT people prefer to choose nightspots as a travel destination more than heterosexual people.

KEY WORDS: LGBT, Heterosexual, travel behaviors, travel destinations