Vacationer of the Week: Abraham Bravo

This week, we decided to chat with Abraham Bravo, who is the travel director and founder of Travelisto.com, a travel agency. He’s worked in the travel industry for almost 20 years and had the chance to sit across the table from officials from countries where LGBTQ+ rights are not yet recognized and, in some cases, challenge their views.  

Abraham is from Madrid, but he moved to London when he was 20, and currently lives there with his husband, Keith. The traveling couple has been together for 10 years.

In this Q&A, Abraham tells us the popular travel destinations and experiences LGBTQ+ people are interested in booking this year, reveals the one tour every queer tourist should take when visiting London, explains why it’s important to consult a travel advisor when planning a trip, and much more! 

Vacationer: At what age did you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?

Abraham Bravo: I was 7 or 8 years. I had travelled to other European countries at an early age, especially France and Italy, but my first long haul trip alone was to New York City at 19. 

What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel? 

In the early 90s, my family organized a humanitarian trip to Cuba as the country was experiencing hardships, taking tons of medicine and other basic items needed. It really moved me to see how travelling can also serve a purpose, anyone can become a travel hero by having a positive impact on the communities we visit. We might not always achieve immediate results for equality, but we can certainly build bridges and be ambassadors, especially as LGBTQ+ people. 

What inspires you to travel?

It is that feeling of anticipation that never wears off, a sense of alertness that makes us more receptive to the unknown. Travelling breaks through the imaginary barriers we often put up ourselves. I believe being nomadic is still deeply rooted in our DNA and travelling often reminds us how we are all interconnected and the experiences we have far away from our daily routine really define our thinking. The further we go the more we learn about ourselves. We may not remember every detail of our trips, but we certainly always remember how we felt while visiting that location. 

Please tell us how you identify yourself on the LGBTQIA spectrum. Tell us if how you identify influences the way your travel.

I identify as a gay man. I’ve been married for 10 years to my husband Keith. This year, we will take an adults-only cruise around the Med to celebrate our anniversary. 

I have travelled to 47 countries and never felt that I had to be more cautious than any other traveler. In fact, if you are well-informed by a travel expert or do your research, you won’t miss out. For instance, I was never denied a double bed in a hotel or been singled out. I think my gender identity or sexuality does not limit the way I travel. 

Of course, having many travel industry contacts across the world has always been useful, and partnering with LGBTQ-owned businesses or activists really helped us enjoy trips without feeling like we were compromising too much – whether travelling in India or Peru, South Africa, or the UAE, to name a few. With the right guidance from travel experts and local members of the LGBTQ community, you will not miss out on your travels.   

What domestic and international destinations do you think will be popular travel destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers this year?

I am already seeing a huge interest in cruises, as the onboard experience keeps getting better, especially in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. This year most travelers will continue to travel near where they live. Mexico and Costa Rica are almost back to normal numbers of visitors, and bookings for Italy, Croatia, and Spain are also promising. Beyond the top LGBTQ spots like Gran Canaria or Provincetown, and further away, I think this year Iceland, Sri Lanka, and Jordan will have a surge in interest. 

Is there a travel destination that most queer travelers would think isn’t safe to visit, but you’ve visited and enjoyed it? If so, where? What made it a memorable experience?

Turkey has been in the news for adopting more conservative views, opposition to Pride celebrations and many violations of human rights. There is still a lot of work to do, and local activists need a lot more support. However, I remember going to gay clubs in Istanbul that had an incredible crowd enjoying themselves – it felt like any club in London or Paris. It wasn’t just memorable for how fun it was, but also for the bravery of the locals who weren’t hiding – if a tourist can find these clubs and go there – you can tell the people there are living fierce and proud. 

What are three things you would recommend LGBTQ+ travelers do when they visit London? 

London is fantastic for LGBTQ+ travelers! But first, learn the LGBTQ+ history of this amazing city. I recommend the Gay Blue Plaques tour. English Heritage marks the location where notable Londoners once lived with a blue plaque, so you can learn about famous LGBTQ+ people like Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, Alan Turing, Freddie Mercury, and many more. I live close to where music icon David Bowie lived and attended school. Another interesting walking tour is an English Pub Crawl, to really learn about the cornerstone of the nation’s culture: the Pub! 

What sparked your decision to start your own travel business? 

It was the pandemic that made me reconsider my priorities. I had Covid very early in March 2020 and although it was not quite an epiphany, it was certainly scary and helped me realize that I wanted to use my expertise to help travelers as well as local communities. Moreover, I think that most travel companies operating in the outbound model have great marketing and sales but lack local knowledge. Local inbound companies have great knowledge of their destinations but lack the right expertise to convey the message to an international traveler. Travelisto.com was born during the remote work era, with a digital nomad ethos at heart, where our Travel Designers are travelling more often than the average travel agent would, working in curating trips while they themselves are on the go and travelling around. 

Why do you think it’s important to consult a travel advisor when planning a trip?

Because it is all about who you know that makes the difference, or in this case, who your travel advisor knows. Leveraging personal relationships beats an algorithm every time. Yes, I also use the Internet to check the best interest rates, but I still get a broker to get me the best mortgage deal; I may be curious to search for my symptoms online, but I still go visit my doctor. 

I certainly want my travelers to be well informed and do not discourage researching on the Internet, however, if they want that VIP treatment nothing beats knowing the right person, or if something doesn’t go as planned during their trip, like during the pandemic, you can always feel reassured to speak to your travel advisor or a real human. These advantages come at no extra cost, with more personalization than any algorithm can achieve, and clients quickly learn it is added value and peace of mind.   

What are some popular travel experiences right now that you would recommend to LGBTQ+ travelers?

I think Africa is becoming more and more accessible, so going on safari in places like the Ngorongoro Crater are on the rise. Swimming in the Dead Sea, whether on the Jordan or Israel sides, is also a popular experience. And visiting Alu-la in Saudi Arabia, to whom some refer as Petra’s big “sister”, is quickly becoming a must-do activity including for some gay YouTubers. But I think in general terms, there’s an uptick in LGBTQ+ travelers looking for hosted adventure group tours and chartered sailings in places like Greece are also very popular. 

What’s the best tip you’d offer travelers?

Always upload a copy of your passport and other important documents to your Cloud, so you can access them even if you lose your own phone or laptop. 

What’s are your top three favorite places to visit?

Brazil – It is a country that has it all and despite its contrasts and complexities, it always leaves me wanting more. 

Spain – I’m a bit biased here, but it is another country where I always discover new things. 

Vietnam – It is possibly my favorite country in Asia because I really feel at ease and welcome wherever I go. The food is unbeatable, and it gets better and better each time I go back.

What three places are still on your bucket list to visit?

French Polynesia, Antarctica, and Borneo.

What’s one thing you never forget to pack in your suitcase?

My power bank charger or digital media player. You can stream movies and music to various devices via Wi-Fi. I also try to pack a fast-drying towel if hiking or going on an adventure trip.  

You’re going on a road trip. What singer or band is always on your playlist?

U2, John Mayer, and Sam Smith

What travel trend or travel industry shift are you most excited to see this year?

I am very excited to see space travel becoming a reality but back down here on Earth, I am also glad to see a shift towards rail travel and the development of electric planes. There is finally more awareness and focus on sustainability, plus the current high cost of fuel is finally prompting the travel industry to make bold decisions.