Vacationer of the Week: Scott Wismont, Owner of Rainbow Getaways

Our Vacationer of the Week is Scott Wismont, owner of Rainbow Getaways, an LGBTQ+ travel concierge. The 37-year-old luxury travel specialist was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but would eventually move to Council Bluffs with his parent when he was 10. Scott currently lives in Orlando, and he enjoys traveling the world and curating customized travel experiences for his LGBTQ+ travelers. 

We connected with Scott, and he reveals the backstory that sparked his passion to start Rainbow Getaways. We also discover what two important travel-related gadgets he never leaves home without, his two favorite places to stay when visiting a specific Caribbean Island that usually gets a bad rap in the LGBTQ+ community, and he dishes on the best travel advice that he’s received and now passes along to offers to other queer vacationers.

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

Scott Wismont: I got my first passport when I was 16 to take a high school summer trip to Mexico with my Spanish class. That was my first international trip, but before then, I had the opportunity to travel the continental United States at length with my grandparents each summer. 

What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel? 

My passion for traveling dates back to the summer road trips with my grandparents. Each summer, we’d set off from Omaha to visit the extended family in Las Vegas or down in Louisiana. We’d stop at all the roadside attractions as we took a week taking the long route, sightseeing along the way. 

What inspires you to travel?

Seeing the world from a different perspective. The more I’ve experienced, the more I’ve realized that with all the great differences between cultures, we are still one people with just as many things shared between us.

What sparked your decision to start your own travel business? When did Rainbow Getaways officially open for business? 

I’ve been a travel advisor since early 2015, getting my start with a new agency owner who needed help with cruises. During the early years of my career, I stuck mostly to working with Disney and cruises because that was what I knew the best; however, it wasn’t fulfilling. At the start of 2020, I made a career change that led me to go full-time as a travel advisor to focus more on the destinations and the LGBTQ community.

A few months later, COVID had other plans as the world shut down. Once the dust settled from getting people home and the resulting cancellations, I began to lay the groundwork for Rainbow Getaways. Until then, I had been working with a different agency, and the idea of building out a new company with an active book of travelers was quite overwhelming; however, the pandemic was the chance I needed to reset with minimal impact on my travelers. 

Rainbow Getaways was born in July of 2020, helping to fill a void of professional travel advisors working with the LGBTQ community. 

Rainbow Getaways offers a variety of travel packages and or curated trips. Which one is the most popular for LGBTQ+ travelers and why?

One of my favorite parts of Rainbow Getaways is that I’ve partnered with various travel partners around the globe. This gives travelers the flexibility to have a truly unique experience because one size does not fit all. Whether a traveler is looking for a fully customized itinerary or looking to jump on a Virgin Voyage for the first time, Rainbow Getaways is in a position to help them have the vacation of their dreams. 

Are there specific trips and or places that you’d recommend to queer travelers?

The top destinations that I recommend to LGBTQ travelers are Mykonos, the Hawaiian Islands, Puerto Vallarta, Portugal, and Virgin Voyages cruises.

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

I’m a cis gay male. When I travel, I want to know that the tour operator I’m working with is either in the LGBTQ community or has a history of being an ally. This makes traveling to destinations that are not as welcoming to our community easier. Plus, even when traveling to destinations that are welcoming, working with a member of the community means that they’ll already know the small differences between straight travel and LGBTQ travel. 

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? 

Most are surprised to hear that Jamaica is one of my favorite destinations for relaxing at a resort. The island has a poor reputation for members of our community, and while progress has been made over the last several years, there is still a long way to go before I’d feel comfortable walking around with just a partner. 

That said, Jamaican resorts have perfected the all-inclusive model, and most are welcoming to our community. The Zoëtry Montego Bay of the AMR Collection is my go-to resort when I’m looking to just relax with unlimited drinks while I sit on the beach, trying to disconnect from the world. 

Jamaica is also home to Round Hill Resort and Villas, a property that proudly supports the LGBTQ community in Montego Bay through partnerships and by creating a safe place for its employees to be themselves while at work. 

What are three words to describe your travel style or personality?

Pioneer, experiential, and a planner.

What’s the best travel tip or advice you’ve received?

Just Go. There will always be things in life that will come up, and if you let them get in the way of your travel plans, you’ll never go out and explore the world. Use all your PTO days; plan ahead or don’t, but go have new experiences while you are young and take those with you as you tackle life. 

What are your top three favorite places to visit or top travel experiences?

Hawaii, cruises, and Italy

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

New Zealand, Bora Bora, and Antarctica

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

I always have an extension cord with multiple outlets/USB ports. There are never enough power outlets in a room, and with the number of devices I travel with, having something to plug them all into is gold. If you’re getting ready for a cruise, you want to make sure that they allow the type you’re taking; built-in surge protectors are typically banned and will be confiscated when you board.

Something new that has found its way into my luggage is a hidden Apple AirTag. With all the issues airlines have had with delivering luggage, an AirTag has been the difference between getting your luggage when needed and waiting days for it to be found. The AirTag doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have problems, but they make tracking down missing bags much easier when you can show the counter agent exactly where it is.

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

We’re listening to a mix of Pentatonix, Lindsey Sterling, Disney Soundtracks, and the 90’s station on Sirius. 

Do you have any exciting news to share or new travel package ideas coming up next year for Rainbow Getaways? 

Watch out for new Rainbow Getaways Events that will take us to new destinations and the relaunch of the Rainbow Getaways Cruise for Charity. 

Scott Wismont enjoys cruises, including a Virgin Voyages cruise. Check out Vacationer Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief’s first experience aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady.