Exploring the motives and experiences of Indian gay tourists in gay-friendly destinations

Purpose This research extract examines the evolving travel motives and experiences of gay tourists in India. It also adds value to LGBTQIA+ tourism literature by providing insights into non-Western context. Design/methodology/approach An empirical cross-sectional design was espoused. Data was collected from self-identified gay tourists using respondent-driven sampling through dating apps, LGBTQIA+ WhatsApp groups, and social media. An organised questionnaire was designed for measuring the diverse travel motives and experiences. Structural equation modelling (SEM) validated the relationships among constructs. Findings The motivations identified include cultural learning, sexual exploration, spirituality, wellness, and community bonding. The experiences that fulfilled these motivations included emotional fulfilment, safety, cultural immersion, self-expression, sustainability, and personal growth. The SEM results indicate a significant positive relationship between motives and experiences, underscoring the importance of inclusive and sustainable tourism. Research limitations/implications Findings are based on Indian gay male tourists; future research should explore broader LGBTQIA+ identities and use mixed or comparative methods. Originality/value This research work integrates Self-Determination and Social Identity Theories to extend classical motivation models within gay tourism. The empirical insights advance the gay tourism literature by linking the travel motives to experiences among gay tourists in the Indian context. This research also provides a novel insight into the reflective–formative logic of the push–pull motivation theory (Crompton, 1979; Dann, 1981), contextualising Self-Determination and Social Identity theories within gay tourism motives and experiences.