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THE BLACKLIST:
TRAVEL EXPERTS
2020 saw a racial reckoning within the travel industry as it did across most industries is in the US. Magazines made public statements to do better in future and, while we are seeing more coverage by and on Black travelers, the annual lists recommending travel experts is still shockingly and overwhelmingly white. These lists are not just void of Black representation, but any representation of any of the countries being sold by these experts.
Inclusions on these lists translates into increased bookings and revenue for the named experts, including more diversity would be directly supporting minority owned companies. So we are forced to ask, why is more effort not being made by companies who pledge to do better?
So we, a collective of Black travel media and publishers who formed this group to lift each other up, have gathered a list of Black Travel Experts who deserve to be on these lists, who deserve the business advantage that they provide. We hope this list serves as further inspiration for magazines to give Black and other minority-owned businesses the same recognition as their white counterparts. We call on them all to do better.
AFRICA
SHERWIN BANDA
AFRICAN TRAVEL INC
As the longest established luxury safari operator focused exclusively on the African continent, African Travel, Inc. is dedicated to creating and providing the ultimate African experience.
BHEKI DUBE
CURIOCITY
Curiocity is a network of African design hostels & hotels, sharing an authentic experience of this continent, one city at a time. As an accessible, design hospitality offering Curiocity gives travellers the chance to stay in spaces that are not only affordable but also amazingly designed
LINDA IRIZA
NURU TOURS
On every tour, we are conscious of supporting local businesses and participating in cultural tours that are sensitive and respectful towards the history of the country we visit. Additionally, we collaborate with African-run organisations that are creating positive impact within the country we visit.
CARIBBEAN
CARL NAPOLEON
CARNIVAL JUMPERS
Carnival Jumpers' mission is to increase access to the Carnival experience by facilitating trips to these quintessential island celebrations. They help streamline the process of Carnival for all enthusiast levels.
EUROPE
JULIA BROWNE
WALK THE SPIRITWALKING THE SPIRIT TOURS
Black Paris travel expert Julia Browne founded Walking The Spirit Tours in 1994 and pioneered the genre of Black heritage tourism in Paris. Visitors get an in depth, unique French travel experience so that they can effortlessly discover the soul of France.
GLOBAL
Culture Traveler is a boutique luxury travel service for discerning individuals and groups inspired by diverse cultures, fine arts, exquisite cuisine and unique global destinations.
TILLIE & JOSEPH JAMES
TILLIE JAMES TRAVEL
Tillie James Travel's focus lies in the group and luxury travel market. In addition to servicing individual client bookings, Tillie James Travel has successfully designed travel experiences for groups as intimate as ten and as large as 150 travelers. Tillie has been invited to lend her group travel expertise to symposiums and speaking engagements.
KENNEDY JOHNSON
GREEN BOOK TRAVEL
Based in the U.S. and Nigeria, Green Book Travel is a full service travel company that specializes in hosting culturally immersive Ancestry & Heritage trips with an emphasis on the African Diaspora, while serving as an online source for travelers to connect with global black businesses in the tourism sector.
CLAIRE SOARES
UP IN THE AIR LIFE
Up in the Air Life is a great option to meet like-minded individuals that like lux travel. They design and lead lavish group trips that invite you to submerge your senses. Trips are planned down to the last detail with great surprises along the way.
SHANNON WASHINGTON
PARLOUR TRAVEL
PARLOUR has been a top online destination for Black Women in search of the ever better. And through the lens of global travel and style. From planning her next trip, to creating the hottest itinerary and arriving in style, the editors and contributors of PARLOUR work in earnest to make sure that we are providing the very best in a manner that no one else is.
KEMI WELLS
WELLS LUXURY TRAVEL
Wells Luxury Travel is a collective of luxury travel designers who are incredibly passionate about travel. Whether you are looking for a once in a lifetime trip to Africa on safari, a bespoke gastronomic tour of Spain, cultural immersion in Argentina, or a wellness getaway, Wells is here to help you every step of the way.
NATASHA WILSON
TRAVEL GODDESS INTERNATIONAL
Travel Goddess International strives to provide an ease to the process of vacation planning, through personalized solutions at an affordable price. Our friendly, knowledgable and well traveled team, help educate, inspire and bring "vacation goals" to life, for each and every client.