Media Highlights - May 2025

Lonely Planet’s first ever LGBTQ+ Travel Guide took to the shelves in March this year, and has been met with overwhelming success, receiving extensive media coverage across the globe. The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide is a comprehensive and inclusive exploration of over 50 LGBTQ+ friendly destinations worldwide. Written by Queer, neurodivergent travel writer Alicia Valenski, this guide is designed to help LGBTQ+ travellers navigate the world with confidence, safety, and pride.

It is no surprise that this book has been met with such a positive response as it offers a unique look into these Queer-friendly destinations. This book is more than just a list of Queer-friendly spots; it’s a collection of stories and firsthand insights gathered from LGBTQ+ locals who call these vibrant destinations home.

Since its release, Lonely Planet’s The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide has featured across major online and print publications including The New York Times, Advocate, and Gayety. Author Alicia Valenski also joined the host of Spill the Tea podcast earlier this month to talk all about The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide. 

The book secured several articles in UK media including an in-depth article by Attitude Magazine. Most recently, The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide received an amazing review from Love Reading, that read: "It has more of a friendly feel, and as a hopeless romantic I also was an absolute sucker for the chapters written by a couple or pair of friends who wrote about the experience of first travelling or living in the place together (I literally cried at the story of a couple just talking about how accepted they are in their neighbourhood)."

Released just in time for Australia’s Mardi Gras, The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide was covered across major media outlets in Australia and New Zealand. Creem Magazine, Q News, and Your Ex all published online articles, with Books & Publishing writing an amazing review of the book.

The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide has also been circulating on social media, with notable LGBTQ+ content creators and bookfluencers sharing their love for the book. Currently, The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide has featured in hundreds of Instagram posts, gaining millions in reach engagement. Nomadicboys (198K), Johneepixels7 (42.5K), Franksforeword (22.4K), _Cocojumbo (42.9K), and Panginaheals (941K) are some of the many content creators that shared The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide with their followers.