We’ve all realized by now that 2020 is kicking our butts back to reality. One thing many people seem to have forgotten or just didn’t realize is that Black Lives simply Matter. And while this topic is being the talk of these past few weeks, I think we all need to step up our game and start making a long-lasting impact by supporting black travel businesses.
If you support the fight for black lives (which isn’t that hard to do), one thing you can do beyond posting #blackouttuesday on your social media is support black-owned businesses in your country. You can do so by volunteering, buying from them, promoting them or by donating money.
If everybody endorses black-owned businesses, we could help close the racial wealth gap, strengthen local economies, foster job creation, celebrate black culture and above all, hold other businesses accountable for not doing better. It doesn’t necessarily mean neglecting your favorite brands, but rather being more thorough in picking brands that actually deserve your money.
We want companies that feature real diversity in their executive boards, employees and products. That said, you don’t have to give your money blindly just because it’s a black-owned business. There are plenty of them that will meet your needs and deserve your contribution.
However, this article focuses on supporting black-owned businesses in the travel industry. Yes, Black Travel is indeed a thing. Some call it controversial, I don’t see why. LGBTQ+ travel communities are comparable. They’re just groups of people who want to be comfortable, feel safe and free together.
The Black Travel movement explained
Can you guess what prompted black people to travel with black owned travel agencies? Yep, 400 years of good old RACISM! The Black Travel movement started out as a Facebook community for black people who wanted to travel together to avoid being confronted to racism. It was initiated by Reggie Cummings, an American black entrepreneur from Apex. As his Facebook page grew to hundreds of thousands of people, he founded his company with the same name in 2016. And since then, many have taken it internationally.
Black Travel has numerous purposes that benefit to the black community:
- Empowers and brings comfort, safety and freedom to black travelers
- Connects travelers to black-owned businesses
- Destroys stereotypes that black people don’t travel
- Enables visibility in places that see few black people
- Encourages travel to black destinations
- Inspires black people to overcome their fear of rejection while traveling abroad
The movement results in the success of black-owned businesses, while helping a better representation of black people in travel. However, be reassured that these businesses are not exclusively for black people, they welcome everyone.
Black Travel is already challenging stereotypes
In 2020, many people of color are STILL facing discrimination while traveling, simply because of the color of their skin. But you might have noticed that we are done being treated like zoo animals, stereotyped as poor or even lynched and getting killed for being suspected of criminality for no god-damn reason!
It will take more than the entire black community to actually change the world. In travel, black people are largely underrepresented. Yet, African American travelers contributed to the US travel and tourism economy to the tune of $63 billion in 2018. And this is just in the US. If we did this study in Europe (where I live), I’m pretty sure the statistics would be similar or show even higher figures.
That’s why travel businesses and social media are working to break stereotypes by showing that black people do travel the world and are encouraging our community to go beyond the fear of racism.
Influencers like Jessica Nabongo (first black woman to travel to every country), Oneika Raymond, or Mario Rigby are sharing their experiences and achievements abroad.
Marty Sandiego is a consultant who wants to change the face of tourism by educating brands to push diversity in travel.
Instagram pages like Black Travel Feed are curating splendid images of travelers of all shapes and colors abroad.
Companies like Travel Noire and Black&Abroad are taking the lead for change by offering travel groups. Their number one mission is to put the spotlight on black people and people of color who are largely underrepresented in the travel industry.
The podcast On she Goes opens a discussion about the sentiment of belonging when traveling as a woman of color.
Bloggers are sharing their stories and experiences traveling while black.
Facebook communities like BlackPackeuses and Black Women Travel are empowering black women in travel.
International events for black people are occurring to attract black tourists worldwide.
The Black Travel Alliance launched the #PullUpForTravel campaign to call out travel brands to work towards meaningful representation of black voices in the industry.
Long story short, people are working! And we need to support them. We cannot let racism conduct our lives and have things like #AirbnbWhileBlack happen again. When Airbnb received backlash for black people being discriminated against while booking, they changed their booking policy. We deserve businesses that have our backs.
24 international black travel businesses you can support
We need more black owned travel businesses for a true representation of the international afrodescendent diaspora. I selected a few black-owned businesses in the travel industry that you can support or consider on your next trip. See? It’s easy to buy black.
French speaking black-owned businesses:
- BlackVoyageurs is an English and French-speaking travel agency that want to take you to out of comfort zones international trips.
- Africa Tourism Solutions is committed to breaking African stereotypes by offering experiences across Africa that are rich in discoveries, unique and authentic.
- Paris Noir or black Paris Walks offers exceptional guided tours in black Paris.
- Mamiezi helps you experience travel to Africa.
- Atiba Voyage offers eco-friendly trips to Africa.
- DJaale offers unique experiences in Africa.
- PlanUgo defines itself as a social media that helps connect travel enthusiasts in Africa.
- Jotay Club helps you find travel deals to Africa.
- i.travelwithyou is an Instagram page that gives you tips for weekend trips in France and Europe.
- BlackPackeuses is a French-speaking Facebook community that connects women of color to share travel tips.
- Travel Afrique: Create tailor-made trips with local travel experts or book ready-made trips to Africa.
English speaking black-owned businesses:
- Afro Latino Travel craft trips where you get to the heart of African history, cultures, spirituality, food, music, and dance all with the support of the Black community and business in South America.
- Black Girl Nomads is a digital platform that curates affordable international tours specifically for the needs of black women
- Travel Divas is an award-winning, and premier, travel company that specializes in group travel management.
- Las Morenas de Espana is a Spanish online platform and community that helps you move abroad and build a life you love.
- Black and Abroad offers international events and travel experiences for the modern Black voyageur.
- Travel Noire is a digital media company serving millennials of the African Diaspora through inspired content. They help discern travelers, discover, plan and experience new destinations.
- Soul of America pioneered Black Travel information on the web since 1997 and offers international travel guides.
- Ultimate Guide to travel’s founder is a featured travel blogger who sells tips and tricks to travel on a budget.
- OmNoir curates epic retreat experiences and is a social wellness community for women of color dedicated to living well from the inside out.
- Black Cruise Travel is the go-to site for African American themed cruise events.
- Black Girls Travel Too is a digital platform and travel agency that curates travel experiences with the intent on stretching, growing, and enriching women through travel.
- Wegotooworld is a website dedicated to helping black travelers find and share helpful travel tips for future international ventures
- Noirevoyage
Resources to find black owned businesses in the world:
- On Instagram, follow the hashtags #SupportBlackBusiness, #SupportBlackArt, #ShareBlackStories.
- For my german friends, check out the website Black & Brown In Berlin
- Supportblackowned
- Black Nation
- Official Black Wall street
- Chez Nous Guide
- I Am Black Business
In the US, racism is systemic and needs to be eradicated completely by institutions through firm and concrete actions and education. Americans will certainly need more than actions from the travel industry. Let me be clear: I know it’s not black people’s job to educate the rest of the world about respecting us, but if supporting our businesses can indirectly contribute to a peaceful life, why not?
Black Travel is one industry that can heavily trigger worldwide change by fostering diversity in travel, promoting black culture and ensuring economic growth. Hopefully one day, stereotypes will fade away and people will no longer be able to say they’ve never seen a black person before.
Do you know black-owned businesses that should be mentioned on the list? Share their names in the comments.
The Author / L'Auteure
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Would love to recommend a website that introduces the beautiful Caribbean to the world.
Absolutely, Carrie! Please share with us.