Gay travelers want to feel represented and included in the content they consult. Seeing other community members, such as gay travel creators sharing their travel experiences by providing tips on friendly destinations to visit and activities to do, then becomes the ideal solution for many.
In particular, following the lead of those, such as gay travel creators, who have already traveled to certain parts of the world, takes the hassle out of having to independently search for tourism services that are open and welcoming to LGBTQ+ people: a task that can sometimes be a difficult and frustrating experience, given that even today the community often faces incidents of discrimination and intolerance around the world, even in unthinkable places.
In particular, the demand for such content on Instagram from gay travelers is a reflection of the need for greater visibility and representation of the LGBTQ+ community in the tourism industry, as well as the desire to create a network of information and travel experiences that is inclusive and supportive.
But how to choose the best gay travel creators to follow? We at Quiiky, who are, among other things, a tour operator specializing in LGBTQ+ travel experiences, have selected for you the 5 best travel influencers from Europe and around the world, who in addition to talking on Instagram about travel, are proudly part of the queer community.
Simone and Marco, the @world_mappers
Simone and Marco are a gay italian travel couple known on Instagram as the World Mappers.
They started their adventure through a random photo during their first trip together as a couple. From that photo came the challenge to take a #Face2Face photo in every city and corner of the world. In parallel, they created a blog offering practical guides for LGBTQ+ travel experiences.
After the great success of the photos, videos, and other content created with a travel theme (a success that also earned them television guest appearances), Simone and Marco decided to expand their business by creating additional projects related to more than just travel.
Their mission is to create authentic content, not only for the LGBT+ community, but for anyone who is passionate about travel, using their experiences and memories as inspiration.
Stefan and Sebastien, the @nomadicboys
Stefan and Sebastien are a gay travel creator couple from Spain who, thanks to their published content, have received the following of a large and dense community, not only LGBTQIA+.
Known as the @nomadicboys, Stefan and Sebastien in 2013, after deciding to leave their careers behind, began traveling the world full-time and documenting their experiences on a blog. Today, their content is also shared on Instagram, where they post photos and travel stories, offering helpful tips and advice for those who want to follow in their footsteps.
Their motto, which is also featured in their Instagram profile bio, reads, “We inspire and show gay travelers that they can visit more places than they thought possible.“
Luigi and Dani, the @gaylyplanet
Among the best-known gay travel creators in Italy are certainly Luigi and Dani, the GaylyPlanets who, thanks to their blog performing in all respects, have received recognition from Lonely Planet Italy as “the reference blog for the LGBTQIA+ community.”
On their website, Luigi and Dani offer detailed guides to destinations around the world, with a focus on Italian cities and seaside resorts. In addition to guidebooks, they also share reviews of hotels, restaurants and activities, all of which they have personally tested.
The GaylyPlanets have a popular Instagram page where they publish videos, reels and posts always with an original and ironic twist, the winning trick that allows them to sincerely convey their love of travel and discovering new cultures. Of note on Instagram are the many reel-format contents designed for LGBTQ+ tourists: from those recommending, for example, “the 5 destinations to celebrate Pride 365 days a year” to talks where they and guests talk about LGBTQ destinations such as Japan.
David and Auston, the @twobadtourists
David and Auston are a gay American travel creator couple known as @twobadtourists on Instagram. They met in 2006 and have been traveling together ever since, discovering new destinations around the world.
In 2012 they decided to start a travel blog where they share their travel experiences and offer useful tips for LGBTQ+ travelers. In their blog they chronicle their adventures around the world, reviewing hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
Together, David and Auston have visited more than 50 countries on every continent, including exploring some of the world’s most remote and adventurous destinations. They are best known for their passion for adventure and exploring new and unusual places, as well as for their healthy and active lifestyles.
Through their social media presence, David and Auston seek to inspire other gay travelers to discover the world and have unique and authentic experiences.
Luca and Alessandro, the @the_globbers
Luke and Alexander met in 2015, and since then they have traveled together to many countries around the world, including Japan, Thailand, Australia, the United States, and different parts of Europe.
Gay travel creators with 222 thousand followers on Instagram and 111 thousand on TikTok, The Globbers, through their social media posts, seek to inspire the Italian and international LGBTQ+ community to travel, explore the world and discover new cultures.
In particular, their Instagram account features many spectacular pictures of the places they visit and just as many shots where they tenderly exchange loving gestures. In their blog, they recount their adventures in more depth, with practical advice on places to visit, where to eat and where to stay.
In September 2022 they were civilly united after 7 years of love.