How Booking.com's Travel Proud program is helping LGBTQ+ travelers feel more welcome

For most people, booking the right hotel stay comes down to a few simple factors: price, location and amenities. "Oh, this one includes free breakfast," one might say to themselves, and voila, it's booked.For some communities, it's not so simple. Until my father started traveling again after having his leg amputated, I never understood how difficult it is for travelers with physical disabilities to simply get into a room that's functional and safe. It's been eye-opening.The LGBTQ+ community is also one that frequently finds it difficult to pick a hotel that meets their specific set of needs, including something as serious as safety or as human as accepting their gender identity and making them feel welcome during check-in. As a gay man, I've experienced my own version of this while having to explain that I booked a king-size bed because I'm traveling with my husband. "No," I've insisted, "we don't need two beds."In fact, a new survey from Booking.com revealed that only 31% of LGBTQ+ travelers globally say they are "out" when they travel. Worse yet, 44% of LGBTQ+ travelers also say that they are taking more precautions than they were a few years ago, the survey reported.But what do ...