Vacationer of the Week: Thomas Ricketts

At Vacationer, we enjoy connecting with travel industry insiders. Why? Because they see travel from a different perspective and can also offer insight into the new travel trends and the hot destinations attracting LGBTQ+ travelers.

And for that reason, this week, we wanted to talk to travel industry insider Thomas Ricketts, a Senior Manager of Partner Relations & Marketing, UK & EMEA for Global Travel Collection, which represents the largest community of luxury travel agencies worldwide and a collection of established brands, including Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group, and Colletts Travel. 

Thomas, 32, was born in Chelmsford in Essex and raised in Essex, too. He currently lives in South London but misses living in East London, where he lived before the pandemic.

Our Vacationer of the Week, Thomas Ricketts explains why consulting a travel advisor is essential to any trip-planning process. He offers his thoughts on where LGBTQ+ travelers in the UK are heading for holiday this year. Thomas also reveals what inspires him to travel and why he’s a fearless globetrotter who travels beyond LGBTQ+-friendly destinations.

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

Thomas Ricketts: I was eleven when I received my first passport. I went camping in France as part of, well, in this country we call them PGL tours, which are like children’s adventure holidays. I went as part of the Scouts, as they were called back then.  

What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel? 

I wouldn’t say there’s been a specific trip or experience. I’ve always wanted to travel the world and see as much as I could. 

I was very fortunate that I travelled when I was younger with my parents. My first trip was at six months, my parents took me to Portugal. I don’t remember it of course because I was super young. But they always tried to take my sisters and me away to different places. 

I think the spark has always been there for me. I’ve worked for every high street travel company in the UK you could name before I ended up at Global Travel Collection.

What inspires you to travel?

I’m a massive foodie, I just love food. But I’d say probably the biggest thing for me is to see the country for myself. To feel it. I love that everywhere you could possibly travel is so different from any other place. Every place has its own flavor, its own culture. That’s really the biggest thing for me, is going to a place and experiencing it for myself. 

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 am 100 percent “G” on the spectrum. As far as whether it influences the way I travel, there are of course places that I would absolutely not visit because of the laws. But beyond that, I like to visit every country possible. There are places like Eastern Europe where some people may not visit because it’s more restrictive than the UK — we’re very fortunate to have very open laws here. But it wouldn’t stop me from visiting because I believe it’s worth experiencing a place firsthand, seeing the country, meeting the people, respecting the customs, and not closing the door entirely on places where they’re more conservative. 

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

For us in the UK, I think popular destinations are going to be long-haul because it’s finally allowed again. It goes almost without saying that the US is going to be popular: New York, Miami, Boston, and LA. But then there are places in Asia Pacific, like Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali. In Europe, it will be places like Iceland, Greece, Croatia, and Montenegro. 

Domestically, Manchester, London, Edinburgh, and Belfast are all going to be popular and they’re all very accessible. 

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? 

Actually, the Maldives, or Mauritius, also in the Indian Ocean. A lot of queer travelers would rule those out because of the laws, but they’re really beautiful places to visit. 

Can you tell us about the Global Travel Collection and your current position with the company?  

In my current position I look after our land-based supplier partners, so hoteliers, and chauffeur companies. I support all those companies and the programs that we have with them. 

What sparked your decision to become part of the company? 

I joined the company during a time when it was really changing and adapting, turning into a powerhouse in the UK. I was given the opportunity to really adapt our supplier relations and marketing to take it to the next level. A lot of what I’ve done is to engage with our suppliers about the future and how we can work together and bring GTC to where it is today. 

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

Our motto is book human, go human. A machine or algorithm is never going to tell you insider tips and knowledge about a destination. A website is not going to know the best restaurant closest to your hotel, or if it does, it won’t tell you ‘If you walk this way instead of that way, you’ll be able to stop at a nice little speakeasy on the way.’ There are things you won’t get to experience because you’re not tapping into that human expertise.  

What are three things you would recommend LGBTQ+ travelers do when visiting your hometown or where you currently live?

I live in London — that is the gay capital of the UK! One thing I would say if you visit London is, don’t assume that Soho is the center of London’s queer culture. There are areas like Clapham, and Vauxhall that are the real London. One place I’d recommend is Halfway to Heaven, which is near Trafalgar Square and not far from GTC’s UK headquarters on St. Martin’s Lane. 

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

Oh, just one? I have a few. Get an adaptable plug that works in every country. Get a battery pack to charge your electronics while you’re travelling. Separate some clothes from your checked bag in case your bag goes missing. And my mother always used to say to me separate your credit cards, in case your wallet is misplaced – you’ve got something on you.

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

Iceland, I love Reykjavik. I’m also a huge fan of Bangkok. And then the Maldives, the islands. So, you’ve got amazing natural escape, the city, and beach and sun. 

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

The salt plains of Chile. Machu Picchu in Peru. And China — when my gran visited a long time ago, she brought back a little Terracotta Warrior, so I’ve always wanted to see them in person in Xi’an. 

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

Shoes. It’s the thing I pack first. That sounds really silly, but I literally pick my outfits out depending on what shoes I’ve packed. 

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

For me, it varies. I go all the way from ABBA in the 80s to Divine to Tiesto, artists like that. It all depends on my mood really. 

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

At the moment, everyone is looking for adventure. Everyone’s done two years of staying at home and now they’re ready to get out and do something truly different. At the same time, people are also looking at more eco-friendly hotel stays and trips that have a positive social impact. That’s what’s really exciting to see is people using travel to make a change for good in the world.