The 2012 GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) Travel Survey results were published a few weeks ago. Some interesting facts arise comparing the general USA travelling population to the same-sex attracted USA travelling population.

One fact in particular stands out. According to USA Government statistics, approximately 61 million Americans were issued passports over the last ten years. This represents roughly 18% of the total population of 311 million. When passport types and numbers issued are examined more closely, taking into account that some of those passports were for only five year’s limitation, the overall average figure comes down to less than 17% of the total USA population.

According to the 2012 USA GLBT survey, 79% of GLBTs in the USA hold a valid passport. This astonishing gap between those who travel internationally and those who don’t isn’t a once off anomaly. Surprisingly, an average of 51% USA GLBTs used their passports during an international visit last financial year (2011-2012), a period of extreme economic stress for most Americans.

For anyone up-to-date with the state of the USA economy, this is quite a startling percentage difference.

The USA is almost alone in OECD countries (only Turkey and Mexico have similar per capita passport ownership) for the scarcity of per capita passport holders. Stating the facts clearly, the USA is still the world’s largest economy, despite the global downturn since the GFC of 2007 and 2008.

In the home of the free, where liberty and justice reigns for all, equal access to open borders isn’t an issue. Americans are pretty much free to go where and when they please. Limited incomes may hold some back but with airfares and overall travel costs at historic lows, this reasoning effectively becomes a moot point.

Over 59 million international visitors travelled to the USA in 2012. It’s the second most visited country in the world after France whose own population of approximately 65.5 million is outnumbered by visitors (76.8 million) from across its borders. The French aren’t frightened of travel or travellers obviously. All those international visitors may indeed encourage French citizens to travel abroad, if only to get away from the tourists.

While 59 million international visitors to the USA don’t outnumber America’s population (311.8 million according to latest geographic statistics, the third most populous in the world after India and China), it’s safe to say that a majority of Americans aren’t exactly isolated from international visitors.

So why are straight Americans such stay-at-home types?

Conversely, why are American GLBTs such global gadabouts?

Why are straight identifying Americans so content so as to restrict their travel to a domestic destination if they travel at all?

The socio-demographic implications are intriguing.

Will GLBT Americans venturing abroad influence domestic society or domestic political policy?

The top ten international leisure destinations as represented by GLBT identifying visitors are:
Canada, England, France, Mexico, Spain, Germany, Italy, Montreal-Canada, Toronto-Canada, Vancouver-Canada and Australia. These particular statistics are obviously based on a multi-faceted question: what is your preferred leisure destination, either city or country.

By the way, Canada represents 28% of American GLBTs preferred destination country overall, perhaps due to ease of border crossing and relatively close distance, a lack of obvious language barrier and probably a similarity of cultural norms.

For instance, if GLBT travellers upon their return from Canada can influence American legislators and the American Rifle Association that gun control can be managed effectively in order to reduce American homicide rates, perhaps social influence as a result of GLBT international travel will have a visible positive influence.

Another interesting snippet from the 2012 USA GLBT Travel Survey is about how travellers obtained their information when making decisions about their choice of destination.

Approximately 55% relied on word of mouth or personal recommendations. Approximately 51% relied on online travel sites while GLBT media coverage and advertisements influenced approximately 39% of decision makers. Way down the list were mainstream media (both print magazines and newspapers) at approximately 19% and television shows at approximately 13%.

Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Trip Advisor, Google Plus, Yelp) influenced roughly 1 in 4 decision makers in their choice of destination, a surprisingly low percentage given the incredible rise in social media’s purported influence on communication trends since 2000.

While this latest USA GLBT Travel Survey makes for interesting reading, I’m now more likely to believe that a typical American traveller is same-sex attracted. The statistics and facts are yet to support this notion, based on my personal observations at any rate.

Maybe I should get out more.