Tourism or Tolerance? India’s Pet and Pride Travelers Still Seeking Space
As India’s tourism industry evolves to meet global expectations, two emerging yet often overlooked segments—pet-friendly and LGBTQ+ tourism—are quietly carving out space in a largely traditional travel landscape. While progressive cities and premium hospitality chains are making strides, the broader ecosystem remains riddled with resistance, raising the question: Is Indian tourism truly inclusive or merely tolerant when it’s convenient?Pet-Friendly Tourism: Progress with Conditions
India’s urban middle class is increasingly treating pets as family, leading to rising demand for pet-friendly hotels, cafes, and getaways. Destinations like Goa, Coorg, and parts of Himachal Pradesh have embraced this trend, with resorts offering dog menus, pet spas, and off-leash parks.However, this openness remains limited to niche markets. In many rural or religiously conservative regions, pets are still unwelcome in public spaces or lodging facilities. Public transport, too, remains largely inaccessible for pet parents unless traveling by personal vehicle or paying steep airline charges.
“There’s growing awareness,” says Rashi Mehta, founder of a pet travel startup in Bengaluru, “but for every pet-welcoming hotel, there are ten that turn us away with a scoff.”
LGBTQ+ Travelers: Still Fighting for Visibility
Despite the decriminalization of homosexuality in 2018, the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ travelers in India remain fraught with discomfort, discrimination, and even danger, especially outside metro cities. Instances of same-sex couples being denied hotel rooms, stared at in public, or asked invasive questions by staff are still disturbingly common.Tourism campaigns rarely feature LGBTQ+ narratives, and very few destinations openly market themselves as queer-friendly. While brands like The Lalit Group have championed inclusivity, the broader industry often resorts to pinkwashing—superficial gestures without real systemic change.
“Traveling as a queer couple in India means constantly assessing risk,” shares Aryan and Neel, a Delhi-based couple. “We choose our destinations not based on beauty, but on how safe we’ll feel.”
Conservatism vs. Commercialism
The resistance to inclusivity often stems from cultural conservatism. In smaller towns and religious destinations, local communities may view LGBTQ+ visibility or pet-friendly amenities as a threat to tradition or sanctity. This creates tension between the potential economic benefits of tourism and deeply held social values.Ironically, international tourists often experience more freedom than locals. Foreign same-sex couples are more likely to be tolerated because of the "tourist exception" bias—what’s unacceptable for Indians becomes permissible if it’s a white visitor spending foreign currency.
Is India Ready for Inclusive Tourism?
The gap between policy and practice is wide. While some state tourism boards are beginning to recognize the value of inclusive travel, actual implementation remains inconsistent. Real change will require more than token gestures; it demands staff training, clear anti-discrimination policies, and public awareness campaigns.Until then, both pet parents and LGBTQ+ travelers in India remain cautiously optimistic, pushing boundaries, one booking at a time.
