Top 10 Meetup Stories: Highlights From Our Queer Travel Community

What began as a way for queer backpackers to connect with each other whilst travelling has now helped form life changing friendships, group adventures, relationships, and unforgettable memories across continents. Here are just a few of our favourite meetup stories that have happened through our community so far - In no particular order...!

🇮🇩 1. Bali Pop-Up Meetup

We were handing out flyers in Bali, hoping to meet a few queer people and by that evening, there was 12 of us from all different nationalities having drinks and getting to know one another! Some even went on to rent a villa together for a few days. No big agenda - just queer people finding each other and having a lil bit of spontaneous fun.

🇹🇭 2. Bangkok Pride

22 LGBTQ+ Backpackers met up for Bangkok Pride and had the most incredible time. Having such a large group of queer travellers come together on the other side of the world to celebrate who they are was something really special.

🇳🇱 3. Amsterdam Pride Hostel Takeover

A group of members booked out a hostel dorm for Amsterdam Pride, explored the city, danced in the streets, and lived in the moment. Nothing better than going on a trip to a new place & connecting with a bunch of new queer strangers!

🇹🇭 🇮🇩 4. From Chiang Mai to Bali

This group first met in Chiang Mai through the group, quickly bonded, and decided to rent a bungalow in Pai. From there, they became inseperable and even flew to Bali for surf camp! Two of them then went on to travel Vietnam together. Backpacking just hits different when you’ve got queer friends by your side.

🇵🇭 5. Queer Group Trip – Philippines

On our Queer Philippines Group Trip, three travellers connected so well they continued backpacking together afterwards. They went canyoneering, ATV riding, surfing, and explored a hidden lagoon. This is what queer travel is all about - shared adventure and new lifelong friendships.

🇦🇺 6. World Cup – Australia

A huge group from the community met up during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia. Not only did England make it to the final, but a few members even managed to meet Jill Scott, former England player and LGBTQ+ icon!

🌏 7. From Chat to Couple – Southeast Asia

They first connected through our Southeast Asia WhatsApp chat and met in Pai, Thailand. After exploring the bamboo bridge and going out that night, they kept in touch and ended up in a relationship. From Ho Chi Minh to Indonesia, to a family wedding in the US, to backpacking across Europe - they’ve now shared multiple countries (and even a future together).

🇨🇷 8. Our First-Ever Meetup – Costa Rica (Jan 2023)

The first meetup happened in Costa Rica, where seven strangers met up after chatting through our group chat. They explored the historic Sanatorio Durán, soaked in the scenery, and ended the night with karaoke and drinks!

🇧🇿 9. From Hostel Breakfast to Sunset Kayak in Belize

Two travellers met over breakfast at a hostel and realised they were both from Perth so went to see if they had mutual friends on facebook. One noticed LGBTQ+ Backpackers in the other's Facebook search history and said they were a member of it too which causes a instant connection! Later that day, they were kayaking at sunset in Caye Caulker, Belize!

🇵🇭 10. Birthday Boat Bash – Philippines

After chatting in the Philippines WhatsApp group, a few members organised a boat trip to celebrate one of their birthdays. It turned into a perfect day of sun, swimming, and queer community on the water.

This Is What a Queer Travel Community Looks Like

From hostels in Thailand to World Cups in Australia, our meetups prove that queer travellers want - and deserve - spaces to connect, explore, and feel at home anywhere in the world.

Our community isn’t just about where you go - it’s about who you meet along the way. Whether you're flying solo, travelling with friends, or joining one of our queer group trips, you're always one message away from connection.

Want to join the queer travel community?

Check out our group trips, join the Facebook group, or hop into one of our regional WhatsApp chats!