Unfortunately, we are here. In a place where our race is a topic of discussion in anything we do and poses more concerns than positive intentions from other communities. Travel is in the forefront of those concerns. When black travelers plan a trip, we don’t just get to think about the condition the country is in, our accommodations, and how we will enjoy ourselves. We also have to consider the reception and treatment of people of color. Will we receive different treatment? Will people willingly perform the services we need? Or will we be subject to nasty looks and stand off treatment that taints the overall feel of the trip? This only touches the tip of the iceberg for black travelers.

Traveling while black is a thing and is not always fun but that shouldn’t stop you from doing it. We deserve the same experiences that other communities are privileged to have. We must invest ourselves in establishing a standard of travel that knows no limits and can be accessed by all parties interested. That is the reason we are here, all things included. We as World Citizens want to break down barriers and create human connections that transcends the borders of our land and biased mentalities. We want to build a platform for our community to use as a resource of information that expands our horizons beyond the barriers society teaches us. So be black and travel and here’s some tips and suggestions on ways to get started.

1. As a Black traveler, frequent countries of color.

In general, countries with other indigenous people of color are welcoming to Black travelers. This is one reason Correy loves to visit the Caribbean islands. They tend to be very diverse and inclusive of all people and their culture is warm and inviting. There is great food, fun events and celebrations, and enough beaches for the locals and visitors to enjoy. We can’t speak on Africa from personal experience (it’s definitely on our travel bucket list!), but from peer research there are several countries that are welcoming to black travelers. We would advise to do research before planning a trip as there are some complications that can be expected in specific countries. It’s typically fine in the heavily visited touristy places, however in some of the unchartered territories there’s a lot of corruption in the government, so law officials tend to prey on what they may consider powerless foreigners. Also some locations in South/Central America as well Asia are more inviting to people of color, although there have been recent reports of discrimination in Asia. It’s never guaranteed to not experience some issues, but locations that have people of color have proven to embrace diversity more than others.

This is not to say that we shouldn’t visit other continents/countries. We firmly believe the world is open to all and there are good people everywhere. And there’s so many beautiful places to see, delicious dishes to taste, and unique cultures to experience. The key is to prepare yourself to weather the storm and promote love over evil. If you’re looking for specific places that are known to be more welcoming, Travel Noire has a post that lists 13 countries that are especially welcoming to black travelers.

2. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Submerging yourself in another culture is one way to break the initial ice. Outside of color, America has a bad stigma of being egocentric (we’ve certainly seen this during the pandemic) so because of this, other countries don’t expect Americans to show interest in their practices. Doing so puts them at ease and brings out a sense of pride that breaks through walls and preconceived notions. It also makes your travels more of a learning experience that creates new perspectives. Do things the local way and you may discover something new about yourself. Simple things like learning basic phrases in the native language and following cultural social practices go a long way.

3. Engage and Educate.

In a lot of cases natives in the country you’re visiting are not educated on your background or the history of the United States. So it’s healthy to be open to sharing information about your heritage just as you should want to learn more about theirs when visiting. It’s not always easy especially when language barriers exist, but the effort can make a world of difference.

There are currently a number of Black expats that are trailblazing the way to integrating Black people into the norm of other cultures. We salute and support the movement of moving to foreign countries to live, learn, and grow. In some cases expats have seen less racial tension in general and have experienced more peace living in countries outside of the United States.

So make a promise to us that you all will go out in the world and share the beauty of being Black with everyone. It may not be celebrated everywhere, but we deserve the right to be accepted anywhere. Enjoy this world that God created and be proud to be a World Citizen. Give thanks in all you do and connect with us to plan your next trip!

Have you had negative experiences traveling while black? Have you heard about others experiences? What were some places you’ve traveled where you’ve felt safe and the people were welcoming?? Let us know in the comments below!