Sion Walton-Guest is Helping LGBTQ+ Travelers Explore the World With Confidence
- Kirstie Nicole
- May 6
- 4 min read
Editor's Notes: What has always stood out to me about Sion is how intentional he is when it comes to safety and honesty. He isn’t just showing destinations, he’s creating real transparency around what it actually feels like to exist in those spaces as an LGBTQ+ traveler. That kind of honesty matters, especially for a community that hasn’t always had access to clear or reliable information when it comes to navigating the world. He’s not selling a version of travel, he’s giving people the tools to make informed decisions for themselves. And in doing that, he’s helping reshape what queer travel looks like, making it more accessible, more thoughtful, and ultimately more empowering for all of us.
For Sion Walton-Guest, travel didn’t start small, it started with a leap. At 18, instead of a typical first trip abroad, he found himself spending six weeks in Sri Lanka with a friend, splitting time between independent travel, staying with family, and immersing himself in local life. It was an experience that set the tone early. “I think I accidentally set the standard for adventure very high,” he says. And from that moment on, travel became less about escape and more about exploration, curiosity, and saying yes before overthinking.
That instinct to just go for it eventually evolved into something more intentional. After traveling for six months in 2011, before smartphones and easy access to information, Sion remembers having no real way of knowing where LGBTQ+ spaces existed or what to expect as a gay traveler. When he returned to long-term travel in 2018, that gap became impossible to ignore. It’s what led to the creation of The Globetrotter Guys, a platform centered around LGBTQ+ travel that felt both necessary and natural. “It seemed like a no brainer,” he says.
What sets Sion’s content apart is the way it removes uncertainty. Travel guides can only tell you so much, but there’s something different about seeing someone actually experience a place in real time. “You can read as much as you want about a destination and still have questions,” he explains. “I think it’s more reassuring to see a real person experience those places and share what it actually feels like.” His goal is simple: to act as a kind of roadmap, helping LGBTQ+ travelers feel more confident stepping into the unknown.
But his journey hasn’t just been about destinations, it’s also been deeply personal. After spending years in a long-term relationship from age 19 to 35, Sion found himself navigating solo travel for the first time. What followed was two years of learning how to rely on himself, push through discomfort, and redefine what independence looked like. “It has required me to create my own happiness,” he shares. That shift not only changed the way he travels, but also how he tells stories, making his content feel more honest, more reflective, and more grounded in who he is as an individual.
When it comes to safety, Sion is intentional about balancing honesty with encouragement. He openly acknowledges the privilege he holds as a gay, white, cisgender man, recognizing that his experiences won’t reflect everyone’s reality. While he shares his own perspective and highlights important considerations, he also encourages travelers to seek out diverse voices within the LGBTQ+ community. It’s about providing information without limiting possibility.
His curiosity also leads him to more complex destinations and conversations. While he’s drawn to adventure, outdoor experiences, and high-energy LGBTQ+ events, he’s equally interested in places that challenge assumptions. Whether it’s traveling through Jordan or exploring states like Florida, where acceptance and resistance exist side by side, Sion leans into the nuance. For him, supporting LGBTQ+ businesses in those spaces becomes even more meaningful.
For those who feel hesitant to travel, his advice is practical and reassuring. Group trips with other LGBTQ+ travelers can be a powerful starting point, offering both safety and community. He points to creators like Journey by Joe, Explore With Chase, Alyssa The Lesbian Passport, and Dominique Travels as examples of people helping others take that first step.
At the core of how Sion moves through the world is a simple reminder he often comes back to: “Don’t forget to live in the meantime.” In a culture that constantly pushes toward what’s next, he’s learned the importance of being present in what is. It’s a mindset that shapes both his travels and his storytelling.
Looking ahead, his vision is grounded in impact rather than scale. If his work encourages someone to explore a new destination, support an LGBTQ+ business, or simply feel more confident stepping into the world, that’s enough. At the same time, he hopes to continue pushing the travel industry forward, advocating for more inclusive representation and investment that reflects the full diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.
Because for Sion, the future
of travel isn’t just about where you go, it’s about how informed, supported, and empowered you feel when you get there.
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