Allan D. Kissam – Featured Luxe Beat Magazine Contributor
Allan Kissam has experiences that give him insights when writing that may not be obvious to most 
people. His first job after college was a deputy in the uncuff and search cage of the Orange County Sheriff…at times it was cage fighting. Turning in the badge, he headed to six years at sea, managing nautical charting surveys and environmental studies. Often this involved scuba diving for recovery of instruments or checking navigation hazards. Today, Allan specializes in information systems security as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH). He has published in technical journals and is awarded two U.S. patents.
Focused on travel writing, his publications have been selected as the Feature Article by editors of travel online blogs. These publications include print magazines for aircraft owners or for engineering readership. Allan continues searching out the interesting aspects and unusual perspective of travel destinations that cause people to take note. He is a member of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). Allan is venturing into a new writing space and is currently working on a sci-fi book.
Where have you traveled over the course of your career?
In my work, I have traveled over most of the world, including Bahrain. The African continent, South America, China, and Russia have my interest for planning ahead. That is enough to fill a lifetime.
Which do you prefer, writing, or photography?
Writing, because I can correct the disappointment when reading the draft. A photo opportunity is often a fleeting moment where one is either very skilled or lucky.
How do you go about writing?
I start with general notes about a destination that are gathered off the internet. Destination stops are usually preset by the tour, but I try to locate local historical events and topics of interest to me and my readership. Usually, I do no writing while traveling and may take several days of reviewing photos to do a first draft. My drafts are reviewed again after a day or so, picking up errors or new thoughts, before a final publication.
When you get the chance to pick a travel destination, where do you like to go?
Someplace with history and cultural significance.
If you could be anyone else, who would it be?
Nobody. People all have problems and issues, along with outward appearances, so I prefer mine to theirs.
What motivates you to be a luxury journalist?
Luxury travel creates lasting memories and opportunities to write about the unusual.
Tell us about a favorite travel experience.
Standing on the southern shore of Australia, looking across the ocean, and knowing that I have gone from the Arctic and almost to the Antarctic.
How do you enjoy spending your free time?
I am working on a fiction novel. At one time I was a stockbroker, so investing is a daily interest for me.
The business of luxury is always changing. Where do you see it going?
Luxury is attracting more people of high income but not independently wealthy. Many of these people experience luxury on business travel or company performance reward events. Boomers coming into retirement defied parents in youth, and expect them to be less frugal than their Depression-era parents in retirement.
If you were stranded on an island, name one person and three items you would bring. Why?
A generator, generator fuel, and a radio set with antenna. The best person to have is an armed Marine with experience in communications.
If we came to your hometown, what would we do? Attractions? Restaurants? Tell us about your favorite places.
Seal Beach is in Orange County, California, and in two hours, you can go from the beach to the snow. We would have Negra Modelo beer at a Mexican restaurant near the pier, stop at the World War II Submarine Memorial on Seal Beach Blvd., and decide where to go in Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, or San Diego.
What are three necessities you won’t travel without?
Credit card, passport, and medicines.
What does Luxe Beat Magazine mean to you?
A one stop reading destination for generating travel ideas and enjoying others’ experiences.
Allan D. Kissam
allan@allankissam.com
http://allankissam.com
