GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Travel Industry Statistics

Majority support DEI; inclusive policies boost travel industry sustainability.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

52% of LGBTQ+ travelers face discrimination or bias during travel

Statistic 2

33% of prospective travelers from minority backgrounds have canceled trips due to perceived discrimination

Statistic 3

54% of travelers from underrepresented groups have experienced microaggressions during their trips

Statistic 4

46% of tourism workers overall have experienced bias or discrimination based on their backgrounds

Statistic 5

75% of travel companies have implemented internal DEI initiatives in the past year

Statistic 6

48% of travel companies plan to increase their diversity recruitment efforts in 2024

Statistic 7

Companies with strong diversity policies are 35% more likely to experience higher employee engagement

Statistic 8

Only 40% of travel industry employees report having received DEI training

Statistic 9

42% of travel companies released public diversity reports in 2023, up from 28% in 2021

Statistic 10

78% of hotel chains have introduced DEI initiatives aimed at staff training

Statistic 11

45% of travel companies report that implementing DEI policies has improved team collaboration and morale

Statistic 12

Investments in DEI initiatives in the travel sector increased by 20% from 2022 to 2023

Statistic 13

63% of travel companies admit that DEI efforts help attract top talent

Statistic 14

70% of travelers consider diversity and inclusion as important factors when choosing a travel company

Statistic 15

65% of travelers with disabilities are more likely to choose accessible destinations

Statistic 16

80% of millennials prefer to support travel brands that actively promote diversity and inclusion

Statistic 17

60% of LGBTQ+ travelers prioritize inclusive marketing and services when selecting travel providers

Statistic 18

The global ethnic diversity of tourist destinations increased by 10% between 2019 and 2023

Statistic 19

62% of travelers believe that culturally inclusive experiences enhance their trip

Statistic 20

66% of travelers from marginalized communities prefer brands that showcase diverse representation in their advertising

Statistic 21

58% of travelers believe that inclusive policies influence their loyalty to a travel brand

Statistic 22

Digital travel platforms with DEI features see 25% higher customer engagement

Statistic 23

70% of travel marketers report that focused DEI campaigns generate better brand loyalty

Statistic 24

60% of travelers want more inclusive health and wellness options

Statistic 25

80% of hotel guests prefer to stay at properties promoting diversity and community involvement

Statistic 26

68% of travel companies have increased partnerships with diverse suppliers in the last year

Statistic 27

55% of travelers believe that travel providers should actively showcase cultural diversity to improve the travel experience

Statistic 28

The number of minority-owned travel businesses increased by 15% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 29

72% of travelers are more likely to book with brands known for their inclusive policies

Statistic 30

59% of travel companies report increased demand for ethnicity- and gender-diverse vacation packages

Statistic 31

41% of international travelers say that safety concerns related to discrimination influence their destination choices

Statistic 32

77% of young travelers prioritize inclusive experiences, such as LGBTQ+ friendly options and cultural representation, when planning trips

Statistic 33

66% of respondents from minority backgrounds feel that their travel experiences could be improved through better representation and inclusivity

Statistic 34

The majority (78%) of travel professionals agree that industry-wide DEI standards are necessary for meaningful change

Statistic 35

49% of travelers consider inclusive language and messaging as essential in travel marketing

Statistic 36

70% of travel startups focus on serving underrepresented communities with tailored travel options

Statistic 37

65% of tourism boards now actively promote diversity and inclusion through their marketing campaigns

Statistic 38

50% of travelers with disabilities seek out brands that prioritize accessibility features

Statistic 39

71% of travelers have positive perceptions of destinations that actively promote diversity and cultural inclusion

Statistic 40

88% of hotel guests prefer to stay in establishments that demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and inclusion

Statistic 41

79% of surveyed travelers express a willingness to pay more for travel experiences that emphasize inclusivity and diversity

Statistic 42

55% of travel agencies have integrated DEI principles into their client services

Statistic 43

Innovative travel apps that feature inclusive content and accessibility options see 30% higher user satisfaction ratings

Statistic 44

Only 30% of leadership roles in travel companies are held by women

Statistic 45

47% of travelers from minority groups report feeling more comfortable with brands that have diverse leadership

Statistic 46

55% of women travelers report feeling safer when traveling with brands that demonstrate strong gender diversity policies

Statistic 47

45% of travelers from minority backgrounds report a lack of representation in travel advertising

Statistic 48

38% of travelers have avoided destinations due to perceived lack of inclusivity

Statistic 49

85% of travel agents believe that DEI initiatives can improve customer satisfaction

Statistic 50

52% of travel industry professionals believe DEI is crucial for long-term sustainability

Statistic 51

64% of hotel employees reported feeling that their workplace was more inclusive after DEI training programs

Statistic 52

69% of travel industry executives recognize that DEI enhances innovation within their organizations

Statistic 53

53% of travel businesses believe that expanding diversity initiatives can lead to increased revenue

Statistic 54

54% of hospitality staff report feeling more comfortable discussing diversity issues after DEI training

Statistic 55

65% of travelers from minority backgrounds felt that destinations could improve inclusivity through better signage and language support

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Key Highlights

70% of travelers consider diversity and inclusion as important factors when choosing a travel company
65% of travelers with disabilities are more likely to choose accessible destinations
80% of millennials prefer to support travel brands that actively promote diversity and inclusion
55% of women travelers report feeling safer when traveling with brands that demonstrate strong gender diversity policies
Only 30% of leadership roles in travel companies are held by women
60% of LGBTQ+ travelers prioritize inclusive marketing and services when selecting travel providers
45% of travelers from minority backgrounds report a lack of representation in travel advertising
75% of travel companies have implemented internal DEI initiatives in the past year
The global ethnic diversity of tourist destinations increased by 10% between 2019 and 2023
62% of travelers believe that culturally inclusive experiences enhance their trip
48% of travel companies plan to increase their diversity recruitment efforts in 2024
38% of travelers have avoided destinations due to perceived lack of inclusivity
85% of travel agents believe that DEI initiatives can improve customer satisfaction

As global travelers increasingly demand diversity, equity, and inclusion, the travel industry is witnessing a transformative shift—yet significant gaps in representation and leadership persistence, revealing both opportunities and challenges for more inclusive journeys worldwide.

Challenges, Discrimination, and Barriers Faced by Marginalized Groups

52% of LGBTQ+ travelers face discrimination or bias during travel
33% of prospective travelers from minority backgrounds have canceled trips due to perceived discrimination
54% of travelers from underrepresented groups have experienced microaggressions during their trips
46% of tourism workers overall have experienced bias or discrimination based on their backgrounds

Challenges, Discrimination, and Barriers Faced by Marginalized Groups Interpretation

The travel industry’s spotlight on diversity, equity, and inclusion reveals a sobering reality: over half of LGBTQ+ travelers face discrimination, and nearly half of tourism workers report bias—showing that the journey toward truly inclusive tourism is still a long road ahead.

Corporate Diversity Initiatives and Policies

75% of travel companies have implemented internal DEI initiatives in the past year
48% of travel companies plan to increase their diversity recruitment efforts in 2024
Companies with strong diversity policies are 35% more likely to experience higher employee engagement
Only 40% of travel industry employees report having received DEI training
42% of travel companies released public diversity reports in 2023, up from 28% in 2021
78% of hotel chains have introduced DEI initiatives aimed at staff training
45% of travel companies report that implementing DEI policies has improved team collaboration and morale
Investments in DEI initiatives in the travel sector increased by 20% from 2022 to 2023
63% of travel companies admit that DEI efforts help attract top talent

Corporate Diversity Initiatives and Policies Interpretation

As the travel industry rallies towards greater diversity and inclusion—from a notable surge in DEI initiatives and transparency to realizing that 63% of companies believe DEI attracts top talent—the journey underscores that while progress is promising, closing the training gap remains essential for truly navigating the path to equitable horizons.

Market Trends and Consumer Preferences for Inclusive Travel

70% of travelers consider diversity and inclusion as important factors when choosing a travel company
65% of travelers with disabilities are more likely to choose accessible destinations
80% of millennials prefer to support travel brands that actively promote diversity and inclusion
60% of LGBTQ+ travelers prioritize inclusive marketing and services when selecting travel providers
The global ethnic diversity of tourist destinations increased by 10% between 2019 and 2023
62% of travelers believe that culturally inclusive experiences enhance their trip
66% of travelers from marginalized communities prefer brands that showcase diverse representation in their advertising
58% of travelers believe that inclusive policies influence their loyalty to a travel brand
Digital travel platforms with DEI features see 25% higher customer engagement
70% of travel marketers report that focused DEI campaigns generate better brand loyalty
60% of travelers want more inclusive health and wellness options
80% of hotel guests prefer to stay at properties promoting diversity and community involvement
68% of travel companies have increased partnerships with diverse suppliers in the last year
55% of travelers believe that travel providers should actively showcase cultural diversity to improve the travel experience
The number of minority-owned travel businesses increased by 15% from 2020 to 2023
72% of travelers are more likely to book with brands known for their inclusive policies
59% of travel companies report increased demand for ethnicity- and gender-diverse vacation packages
41% of international travelers say that safety concerns related to discrimination influence their destination choices
77% of young travelers prioritize inclusive experiences, such as LGBTQ+ friendly options and cultural representation, when planning trips
66% of respondents from minority backgrounds feel that their travel experiences could be improved through better representation and inclusivity
The majority (78%) of travel professionals agree that industry-wide DEI standards are necessary for meaningful change
49% of travelers consider inclusive language and messaging as essential in travel marketing
70% of travel startups focus on serving underrepresented communities with tailored travel options
65% of tourism boards now actively promote diversity and inclusion through their marketing campaigns
50% of travelers with disabilities seek out brands that prioritize accessibility features
71% of travelers have positive perceptions of destinations that actively promote diversity and cultural inclusion
88% of hotel guests prefer to stay in establishments that demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and inclusion
79% of surveyed travelers express a willingness to pay more for travel experiences that emphasize inclusivity and diversity
55% of travel agencies have integrated DEI principles into their client services
Innovative travel apps that feature inclusive content and accessibility options see 30% higher user satisfaction ratings

Market Trends and Consumer Preferences for Inclusive Travel Interpretation

As the travel industry's diversity and inclusion metrics soar—ranging from 70% of travelers prioritizing DEI factors to an 88% hotel guest preference for socially responsible establishments—it's clear that embracing a broad spectrum of identities and cultures isn't just ethical but also a powerful catalyst for brand loyalty, customer engagement, and competitive edge in today's globally connected, socially conscious market.

Representation and Leadership Diversity in Travel Industry

Only 30% of leadership roles in travel companies are held by women
47% of travelers from minority groups report feeling more comfortable with brands that have diverse leadership

Representation and Leadership Diversity in Travel Industry Interpretation

With women occupying only 30% of leadership roles in the travel industry, and nearly half of minority travelers favoring brands with diverse leadership, it’s clear that inclusivity isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business strategy.

Traveler Diversity and Inclusion Attitudes and Perceptions

55% of women travelers report feeling safer when traveling with brands that demonstrate strong gender diversity policies
45% of travelers from minority backgrounds report a lack of representation in travel advertising
38% of travelers have avoided destinations due to perceived lack of inclusivity
85% of travel agents believe that DEI initiatives can improve customer satisfaction
52% of travel industry professionals believe DEI is crucial for long-term sustainability
64% of hotel employees reported feeling that their workplace was more inclusive after DEI training programs
69% of travel industry executives recognize that DEI enhances innovation within their organizations
53% of travel businesses believe that expanding diversity initiatives can lead to increased revenue
54% of hospitality staff report feeling more comfortable discussing diversity issues after DEI training
65% of travelers from minority backgrounds felt that destinations could improve inclusivity through better signage and language support

Traveler Diversity and Inclusion Attitudes and Perceptions Interpretation

The travel industry’s evolving recognition that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not only moral imperatives but also vital for safety, innovation, and long-term profitability is evident, yet significant gaps in representation and perceived inclusivity highlight the journey that remains ahead.