Out Traveler

Top cities for international travelers and where they stand on LGBTQ+ rights

Some of these cities welcome LGBTQ+ travelers while others punish same-sex sexual relations with the death penalty.International travel is recovering following the global economic slowdown of the past few years. Global international arrivals jumped 19 percent in 2024 over the prior year, largely due to a return in tourism travel, Euromonitor International reports.But visiting countries with different cultural norms often comes with dangers for out LGBTQ+ travelers.In its annual Top 100 City Destinations Index 2024, Euromonitor International’s list of most visited cities included entries from countries where same-sex sexual relations are outlawed and punishable by prison and even death, according to the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index. Europe scored much higher than Asia and the Middle East. Such information should give pause to out travelers when choosing destinations.Keep scrolling to find the most visited cities in the world and where they stand on LGBTQ+ rights.10. Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaKuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is home to the Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers.Kuala Lumpur had 16.5 million international visitors in 2024.Source: Euromonitor InternationalMalaysia scored 16 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.Same-sex sexual relations are illegal and punishable by prison, and LGBTQ+ rights are not recognized in this deeply Islamic country.Source: Equaldex Index9. Paris, FranceParis, the capital of France, is known as the City of Light and is a popular romantic destination for straight, same-sex, and queer couples.Paris had 17.4 million international visitors in 2024.Source: Euromonitor InternationalFrance scored 75 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.Same-sex sexual relations and marriage equality are legal, but there remain pockets of resistance to some LGBTQ+ rights.Source: Equaldex Index8. Macau, ChinaMacau, an autonomous zone on the coast of southern China, is known for its mix of modernity with historic regional and Western cultural influences.Macau had 18 million international visitors in 2024.Source: Euromonitor InternationalMacau scored 59 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.Same-sex sexual relations and some civil unions are legal in China, but there are no protections for other LGBTQ+ rights.Source: Equaldex Index7. Dubai, United Arab EmiratesDubai is the biggest city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. The ultra-modern city, rising from the desert sand, is home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.Dubai had 18.2 million international visitors in 2024.Source: Euromonitor InternationalThe United Arab Emirates scored 13 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.Same-sex sexual relations are punishable by death and there is no recognition of LGBTQ+ rights.Source: Equaldex Index6. Antalya, TurkeyThe historic region of Antalya, Turkey, is a popular beach resort destination set amid historic influences pre-dating the Romans.Antalya had 19.3 international arrivals in 2024.Source: Euromonitor InternationalTurkey scored 39 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.The Ottoman Empire decriminalized same-sex sexual relations in 1858, but Turkey remains hostile to LGBTQ+ rights under its current culturally conservative government let by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.Source: Equaldex Index5. Mecca, Saudi ArabiaMecca, Saudi Arabia, is a holy city in Islam and the site of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Mecca's skyline is dominated by the Masjid al-Haram (Great Mosque) and the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont Hotel.Mecca had 19.3 international arrivals in 2024.Source: Euromonitor InternationalSaudi Arabia scored 16 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.Same-sex sexual relations are banned and punishable by death, marriage equality is not recognized, and there is deep cultural opposition to all forms of LGBTQ+ rights.Source: Equaldex Index4. Hong KongA former territory of the British Empire, Hong Kong was returned to China as a special administrative state in 1997. The city is known as a center of international trade, finance, nightlife, and high-powered relations.Hong Kong had 20.5 million international arrivals in 2024.Source: Euromonitor InternationalHong Kong scored 66 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.Hong Kong scored slightly above average marks for legal rights and protections, but public opinion still lacked widespread support for LGBTQ+ rights.Source: Equaldex Index3. London, United KingdomLondon, United Kingdom, has a history dating back to its creation by the Romans as an important port city on the Thames River. Its skyline is dotted with iconic structures like Tower Bridge and Big Ben.London had 21.7 million international arrivals in 2024.Source: Euromonitor InternationalThe United Kingdom scored 71 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.The United Kingdom doesn’t recognize non-binary gender identities and is taking a hardline approach to gender-affi

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Dec 22, 2024 - 19:00

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Top cities for international travelers and where they stand on LGBTQ+ rights

Some of these cities welcome LGBTQ+ travelers while others punish same-sex sexual relations with the death penalty.

International travel is recovering following the global economic slowdown of the past few years. Global international arrivals jumped 19 percent in 2024 over the prior year, largely due to a return in tourism travel, Euromonitor International reports.

But visiting countries with different cultural norms often comes with dangers for out LGBTQ+ travelers.

In its annual Top 100 City Destinations Index 2024, Euromonitor International’s list of most visited cities included entries from countries where same-sex sexual relations are outlawed and punishable by prison and even death, according to the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index. Europe scored much higher than Asia and the Middle East. Such information should give pause to out travelers when choosing destinations.

Keep scrolling to find the most visited cities in the world and where they stand on LGBTQ+ rights.

10. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Aerial night view of KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is home to the Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers.

Kuala Lumpur had 16.5 million international visitors in 2024.

Source: Euromonitor International

Colorful carvings and sculptures at the entrance to the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia scored 16 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.

Same-sex sexual relations are illegal and punishable by prison, and LGBTQ+ rights are not recognized in this deeply Islamic country.

Source: Equaldex Index

9. Paris, France

Paris, the capital of France, is known as the City of Light and is a popular romantic destination for straight, same-sex, and queer couples.

Paris had 17.4 million international visitors in 2024.

Source: Euromonitor International

The Cafe de Flore in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Paris, France

France scored 75 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.

Same-sex sexual relations and marriage equality are legal, but there remain pockets of resistance to some LGBTQ+ rights.

Source: Equaldex Index

8. Macau, China

Macau, an autonomous zone on the coast of southern China, is known for its mix of modernity with historic regional and Western cultural influences.

Macau had 18 million international visitors in 2024.

Source: Euromonitor International

A crowded alley in downtown Macau, China

Macau scored 59 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.

Same-sex sexual relations and some civil unions are legal in China, but there are no protections for other LGBTQ+ rights.

Source: Equaldex Index

7. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Burj Khalifa dominates the skyline of Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is the biggest city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. The ultra-modern city, rising from the desert sand, is home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Dubai had 18.2 million international visitors in 2024.

Source: Euromonitor International

Aerial view of Dubai Palm Jumeirah Island, United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates scored 13 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.

Same-sex sexual relations are punishable by death and there is no recognition of LGBTQ+ rights.

Source: Equaldex Index

6. Antalya, Turkey

Kizil Kule (red tower) and fortress in Alanya, Turkey

The historic region of Antalya, Turkey, is a popular beach resort destination set amid historic influences pre-dating the Romans.

Antalya had 19.3 international arrivals in 2024.

Source: Euromonitor International

A colorful street in the historic district of Alanya, Turkey

Turkey scored 39 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.

The Ottoman Empire decriminalized same-sex sexual relations in 1858, but Turkey remains hostile to LGBTQ+ rights under its current culturally conservative government let by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Source: Equaldex Index

5. Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Masjid al-Haram (Great Mosque) with Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont Hotel in the background, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is a holy city in Islam and the site of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Mecca's skyline is dominated by the Masjid al-Haram (Great Mosque) and the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont Hotel.

Mecca had 19.3 international arrivals in 2024.

Source: Euromonitor International

A Muslim man praying in the holy city of Medina, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia scored 16 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.

Same-sex sexual relations are banned and punishable by death, marriage equality is not recognized, and there is deep cultural opposition to all forms of LGBTQ+ rights.

Source: Equaldex Index

4. Hong Kong

Haiphong Road at night in Hong Kong, China

A former territory of the British Empire, Hong Kong was returned to China as a special administrative state in 1997. The city is known as a center of international trade, finance, nightlife, and high-powered relations.

Hong Kong had 20.5 million international arrivals in 2024.

Source: Euromonitor International

The Tian Tan Buddha outside Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong scored 66 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.

Hong Kong scored slightly above average marks for legal rights and protections, but public opinion still lacked widespread support for LGBTQ+ rights.

Source: Equaldex Index

3. London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom, has a history dating back to its creation by the Romans as an important port city on the Thames River. Its skyline is dotted with iconic structures like Tower Bridge and Big Ben.

London had 21.7 million international arrivals in 2024.

Source: Euromonitor International

$A sign for the Underground (aka \u201cthe Tube\u201d) in London, United Kingdom$

The United Kingdom scored 71 out of 100 on the Equaldex LGBT Equality Index.

The United Kingdom doesn’t recognize non-binary gender identities and is taking a hardline approach to gender-affirming care for minors, but otherwise earns high marks for its wide recognition and protections of LGBTQ+ rights.

Source: Equaldex Index

2. Istanbul, Turkey

The Blue Mosque at sunset in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey, sits at the intersection of Europe and Asia and has been a strategic city since it was established as Byzantium in the 7th century BCE.

Istanbul had 23 million international arrivals in 2024.

Source: Euromonitor International