A retired psychologist, college professor, carpenter and current Gay Games swimmer, Richard Ammon started GlobalGayz.com in 1990 as a hub for travel stories, photos, news reports archives and the GlobalGayz Blog. With the help of his team, Ammon has converted the site into a charitable platform to support LGBT advocacy in developing countries.
Cheapflights: What do you do to prepare for a trip?
Richard Ammon:
- Read my travel check list for items.
- Check my airline website for good seats.
- Read a basic history of the destination.
- Research the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) scene there.
- Make e-mail contact with LGBT activists/residents whom I intend to interview for my website.
- Book a hotel/hostel for the first night then decide if we want to stay there or move to another one. Most of the time, our first choice is sufficient.
CF: What is your travel pet peeve?
RA: Slow hot water; kids having tantrums with indulgent parents; un-updated websites with invalid/incomplete information…
CF: What’s the best destination you have ever been to?
RA: I don’t have one favorite. I would go again to any of the one hundred countries I’ve visited (except Las Vegas).
CF: What is the best airport you have flown from?
RA: Detroit, hands down: One building and one fast tram that connects all gates very quickly with minimum walking.
CF: Is there a tip you can share with us to make the experience of flying a great one?
RA: Try to fly on only one big airline (I use Delta) and stack up miles, get ‘elite’ status and get free upgrades, and other perks. Most coach-class flying is not great; get upgraded if you can or buy an upgradable ticket and trade in FF miles to upgrade. If not, check online to see your plane’s seat configuration and pick a two-seat row or exit row, aisle seat.
CF: What advice can you give to help our readers pack wisely?
RA: Never check luggage. Travel light with one carry-on medium backpack and a smaller day pack.
CF: How has LGBT travel changed over the last few years?
RA: There are more choices of specified gay tour companies, and more LGBT identified guesthouses, cafes, bars, and clubs. The most significant change is the increasing development of the ‘virtual’ gay community online allowing easy access to LGBT organizations, individuals and venues.
CF: Are there any recent or emerging travel trends that you’ve observed?
RA: LGBT people are traveling more, with less apprehension about mixing with non-gay travelers. There’s a greater confidence linked to an increase in more LGBT venues and LGBT house-swapping sites.
CF: What could make traveling to a new destination even better?
RA: Read up on the human rights record of any destination and refuse to go to anti-gay places. Write to the tourist authority there and tell them why you are not visiting their city/country/venue or using a cruise line. Only go where we are legal and welcome.
CF: You say that “no place [to travel to] is out of reach.” Is that your travel philosophy?
RA: It’s not a philosophy; it’s a fact of modern transportation. For example, there is now train service to Tibet. No culture is uninteresting; no matter its location we can get there. Although getting to Wellington is easier than to the gorillas in Uganda.
CF: You write a lot on your site about how to travel frugally. Could you share some key tips?
RA:
- Travel light. One medium backpack + small day pack + laundry soap.
- Never check luggage. Be prepared to change plans and planes at a moment’s notice.
- Follow the least amount of money: airfare deals always happen.
- Cheap hotels are listed in all guidebooks. House swap wherever possible.
- Do the research: Google should be a constant companion.
