Erick Prince
Erick Prince

Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.

Name: Erick Prince

Occupation: Travel Journalist and Digital Marketing Consultant

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Residence: Austin Texas and Bangkok Thailand

College: University of Texas at Austin

College major: Government, History, English

Website: minoritynomad.com

Twitter: @minoritynomad

Facebook: The Minority Nomad

Instagram: minoritynomad

YouTube: Minority Nomad

Short bio: I’m a photographer, philanthropist and world traveler. Combining my love for photography and travel, I created MinorityNomad.com. One of the premier travel blogs for African-American and Latino travelers. Inspiring low-income peoples to explore the world and document their travels. Currently, on a quest to become the first African-American to visit every country in the world, I turned my hobby into a thriving business. Visiting 93 countries along the way.

Through my blog and small digital marketing company, I’ve worked with brands such as Facebook, Singha Corp, LAN Airlines, InterContinental Hotels, and Sony. Using my knowledge of photography, marketing and social media management to fund my travels around the world.

How often do you fly? At least once a month.

How many countries have you been to? 93

How many continents have you been to? 5

Earliest travel memory: Visiting my grandfather’s farm in Ohio next to Mike Tyson’s farm where he had a tiger. I knew about Mike Tyson’s tigers long before the Hangover movie. Lol.

Favorite American city: Chicago.

Favorite international city: Bangkok or Berlin depending on what I’m looking for.

Least favorite country: Russia.

I have no desire to go to: Russia again.

Friendliest people in the world: Pretty much anyone of low socioeconomic means. I’ve found those who have the least material possessions are the nicest.

Country with the meanest immigration officers: The US and UK.

Favorite World Heritage Site: Angkor Wat easily. Georgetown Penang for the food and architecture. Hagia Sofia also holds a special place in my heart.

Favorite airline: Emirates and Qatar. Singapore is up there but I have an issue with their pricing on my favorite routes.

Favorite aircraft type: Airbus A380-800 from Emirates. Business Class window seat is my jam.

Aisle or window: WINDOWWWWWWWW.

Favorite airport lounge: Turkish Airlines in Istanbul. It’s seriously worth a six-hour layover just to hang out here. I intentionally arrive hours early for this lounge.

Favorite U.S. airport: Atlanta. It’s not the best or most modern but it has character and I consider it my home airport now.

Favorite international airport: Changi in Singapore. I actually like Changi more than I like Singapore.

Favorite hotel: Intercontinental Bali. Specifically, their Club Experience. I try to visit once a year for a couple days.

Favorite cruise line: Carnival as it’s the only cruise I’ve done. Win by default.

Favorite travel credit card: Chase Sapphire.

Favorite island: Koh Samui Thailand.

Favorite beach: I have two. The first I’ll NEVER tell for fear it’ll get over run. I will say it’s in the Philippines. The second, Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi. I visited before the massive waves of tourists descended on it. It’s a brilliant beach.

Favorite National Park: Yellowstone National Park.

Favorite fancy restaurant: Le Du in Bangkok.

Favorite hole-in-the-wall: Hut’s Hamburgers in Austin, Texas. Buy one get one Wednesdays still going strong. Order the fries and get cajun seasoning on the side.

Favorite airport restaurant: Cat Cora’s Kitchen at IAH in Houston.

Favorite bar: Budapest Jazz Club in Budapest or Elephant Room in Austin, Texas.

Favorite fruit: Ripe strawberries.

Favorite food: Beef.

Least favorite food: Coconut.

Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Screwdriver or ginger tea.

Favorite travel movie(s): Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Grand Budapest Hotel, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Eurotrip, Up in The Air, and National Lampoon’s Vacation.

Favorite travel show(s): Rudy Maxa’s World (he had an episode on Tokyo that sparked my travel career), No Reservations, Parts Unknown, Rick Steve’s Europe, and Amazing Race because I would win it easily.

Favorite travel book(s): “Don’t Travel Writers Go To Hell?” by Thomas Kohnstamm.

Right now I am reading: “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman.

Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Conde Nast Traveler, Monocle magazine, Travel + Leisure.

Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Monocle.com, RoadsAndKingdoms.com, Skift.com for travel news and info.

5 things you bring on a plane: Baby wipes and powder, fresh socks, toothbrush and paste, headphones, hoodie.

What do you always seem to forget? Nothing. I make a lot of lists.

What do you like least about travel? Trying to stay in shape. I love training and travel makes it a nightmare.

What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Universal adapter or vodka.

Favorite travel app(s): Google Maps, Tinder, Afar, Skyscanner, Uber, Hotels.com.

Most embarrassing travel moment: Diarrhea on a road trip from the Thai islands.

I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: New Zealand.

Worst travel moment: Being arrested in Buenos Aires for refusing to pay a beer tab I didn’t have anything to do with.

What’s your dream destination? I don’t have a dream destination. I’ve been everywhere I’ve truly want to go. I have dream travel scenarios. Mainly involving friends and family experiencing some of the amazing places I have.

Favorite travel charity: The Passport Party Project. Tracey Friley has created something truly special and I’ll always support them.

Best travel tip: Hope for the best but plan for the worst. There are only two absolutes in life. Birth and death. The rest is subjective so ride with it.

 

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