Black travelers are underrepresented in tourism marketing, advertising and services. And Black leisure travelers are a growing but under-tapped market. A 2021 report by MMGY Global found that Black U.S. leisure travelers spent $109.4 billion on domestic travel and $129.6 billion on international travel. Another report in 2021 found that 54 percent of Black travelers are “more likely to visit a destination if they see Black representation in travel advertising.”
Black businesses have the best insight on offering Black travelers meaningful and safe travel experiences, with their unique needs in mind. Here are some of the top Black-owned companies covering all facets of the tourism industry including tour groups and operators, goods and services, lodging, and more.
Black businesses have the best insight on offering Black travelers meaningful and safe travel experiences, with their unique needs in mind. Here are some of the top Black-owned companies covering all facets of the tourism industry including tour groups and operators, goods and services, lodging, and more.
URBAN EVENTS GLOBAL
Urban Events Global (UEG) was established in 2011 with humble beginnings as a camping trip among close acquaintances in Texas. From there, it has evolved into a close-knit yet expansive travel group consisting of friends and friends of friends who share a common goal: to relish in all the joys that life has to offer. UEG is a community of individuals who seek adventure and excitement, while also valuing the importance of networking and crossing off items on their bucket lists. Whether you prefer to embark on solo journeys or prefer group travel, we warmly welcome you to join us.
Our group consists of a diverse range of individuals, with a particular focus on hardworking African American professionals from all corners of the United States, who are eager to take on the world. Our team and group members are seasoned travelers, who have an innate passion for connecting with others. Over the years, we have had the pleasure of serving thousands of travelers, and we are excited to continue sharing our experiences with you. Our values are centered on having a good time while also giving back to our communities. If you are seeking to immerse yourself in a community of like-minded individuals who prioritize adventure and camaraderie, then we encourage you to join us at Urban Events Global.
Our group consists of a diverse range of individuals, with a particular focus on hardworking African American professionals from all corners of the United States, who are eager to take on the world. Our team and group members are seasoned travelers, who have an innate passion for connecting with others. Over the years, we have had the pleasure of serving thousands of travelers, and we are excited to continue sharing our experiences with you. Our values are centered on having a good time while also giving back to our communities. If you are seeking to immerse yourself in a community of like-minded individuals who prioritize adventure and camaraderie, then we encourage you to join us at Urban Events Global.
FroFamilyTravelsIt’s been 6 years since we embarked on the journey of a lifetime. We have 5-6 income streams at any one time that has allowed us to live in 14 countries across 5 continents. We became permanent Mexican citizens and now we’re currently preparing for the next chapter of journey and creating the community that we have realized is necessary when living the path less travelled. Anything we dream of is possible with just an idea, a plan and the work to make it happen. Let us help you adventure into a world of living abroad. We have the knowledge and the tools to help you move with confidence!
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Black Will Travel
A Boutique Travel Company for those Seeing the World in Color: A travel company created out of love with a desire to offer memorable travel experiences that include educating people about the contributions of people of color. It is our mission to educate and create memorable, immersive travel experiences that are not only exquisite get-a-ways but highlight the contributions and cultures of people of color. |
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Passport Poppin | Black-Owned Travel Agency in D.C. We pride ourselves on taking the STRESS out of the travel planning experience. We are a Black-owned full-service travel agency dedicated to curating amazing travel experiences for world adventurers! With Passport Poppin, your only concern when it comes to a vacay is how good you will look on it!
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WE CURATE EXCEPTIONAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
BWP Travel, Curating Exceptional Experiences
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AGENCIES
1.) Amina Deamon is the founder of Perspectives Travel. Based in New Orleans, she is affiliated with SmartFlyer and Virtuoso – two of the most prestigious companies in the travel world – enabling her to get her clients what she calls the VIP perks they deserve.
2.) Lux Travel Girl was created to offer existing and future clients an outlet to capture the luxury of fashion, spiritual, culinary, and entertainment travel.
3.) Up in The Air Life CEO Claire Soares created a multimillion-dollar travel empire focusing on luxury travel.
4.) Bruce Powell is the Lead Travel Consultant and Owner of BWP Travel, LLC. With more than ten years of experience as a travel agent, Bruce’s agency, BWP Travel, LLC, is a Virtuoso Affiliated Agency.
5.) Travel with Sparkle was founded in 2007 by Nadia “Sparkle” Henry. Fueled by her genuine love of traveling with friends and family, she created a full-service travel company devoted to group travel, individual travel, and family travel.
6.) LaVon Travel & Lifestyle was founded by Tiffany LaVon Layne after realizing there was a gap in the industry to deliver high-touch personalized service to discerning private travelers who wanted more from their travel experiences.
7.) Sherwin Banda is the president and founder of African Travel – the longest established luxury safari operator focused exclusively on the African continent.
8.) Belvin Baldwin II is the owner of Showtime Travel: an agency that has curated luxury travel vacations and experiences since 2002.
9.) Up in the Air Life Specializes in creating lifestyle experiences for working professionals. Website: www.upintheairlife.com
Travel Supplies
Hair care products offered in hotel rooms are mostly not optimal for 3A or coiler curl types. If you’re driving to your next travel destination, you can aways tuck your favorite conditioner in your bag. But TSA restrictions on liquid sizes can make taking the best hair care products on your next flight a lot harder. Black Travel Box solves that problem with its TSA-compliant line of products catered to Black hair and skin. The products are concentrated, so a little goes a long way on thick hair. Take the company’s travel quiz to figure out the best destinations, hairstyle and products for you.
Looking for a trendy, classy tote and bag for your next flight overseas? Check out Tote & Carry, founded by partners Tony Rey and Tony Dennis. Available in multiple colors, the matching backpack and duffle bag sets by Tote & Carry are the perfect sizes for a personal item and carry-on. If you like to avoid checking bags, this combo is for you. Both pieces are roomy with lots of compartments for your stuff.
It’s no secret that skin of all shades is susceptible to UV damage. But it’s annoying when you’re endlessly rubbing in sunscreen because it leaves a white cast on dark skin, and just won’t absorb. Shontay Lundy was tired of this problem, so she founded Black Girl Sunscreen in 2016. The SPF 30 sunscreen goes on clear and contains humectants that protect skin against premature aging, fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Travel Apps
Maybe you don’t want to pay for your airline ticket all up front, but you don’t want to accrue interest on a credit card, either. Airfordable allows you to instead pay a partial, up-front fee when booking airline tickets. You’ll continue to pay off the fare in installments before the flight. Ama Marfo created the travel app after experiencing the price shock of booking flights home to Ghana as a college student.
It's no secret that purchasing your food at farmers markets while traveling is a great way to save money and sample fresh, local food and goods. Founded by Hugh Molotsi, Soko helps you find farmers markets while traveling, connects you to food producers and even lets you place orders. “Soko” translates to “market” in Swahili.
Safety and a sense of connection are prime concerns for Black tourists domestically and abroad. Founded by Martinique Lewis, ABC Greenbook helps Black travelers connect with Black communities and businesses abroad; a helpful tool for expats. Lewis was inspired by the Negro Motorist Greenbook, which aided Black travelers during the Jim Crow era.
Themed Lodging
Urban Cowboy Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee is part of the Urban Cowboy brand, co-founded and co-owned by Jersey Banks. The brand also has properties in Denver and the Catskills. The Nashville location is an adults-only resort, with eight incredible suites within a Victorian mansion. Head to the hotel’s Public House Bar, a former stable house, for craft cocktails and award-winning pizza.
Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn, New York was founded in 1995 by Monique Greenwood, former editor-in-chief for Essence Magazine. The bed & breakfast features luxurious, Afrocentric suites in an 1860s mansion. Greenwood has also opened high-end properties in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Cape May, New Jersey.
La Maison in Midtown in Houston, Texas is a European-themed, luxury bed & breakfast owned by Sharon Owens and Genora Boykins. Guest rooms have five-star amenities such as private spa baths, couples rain showers, and jacuzzi tubs. Located in the heart of Houston, the property puts you just a few minutes from popular restaurants and more.
Tour Operators
Explore Jax Core, owned by Yollie Copeland, features tours of Jacksonville, Florida and its surroundings. If you’re interested in Black history and culture, Copeland will curate a guided tour of the city based on those themes and more.
Cultural Heritage Alliance for Tourism, owned by Stephanie M. Jones, operates in multiple cities and connects travelers with local experts on Black history. CHAT focuses on history tours that highlight important, but lesser-known Black figures.
OMNoire, owned by Christina Rice, offers global wellness retreats catered to Black women. Take the OMNoire quiz to find out which retreat is right for you. Retreats cover multiple interests including yoga, wine, books and more.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Look out for your safety while traveling domestically and abroad by purchasing travel insurance. You should know that your standard health insurance policy may not fully protect you if you have a medical emergency abroad. Emergency medical benefits included in certain Allianz Travel Insurance plan can help you fill coverage gaps while traveling internationally. We also offer benefits that can provide reimbursement for certain non-refundable expenses in the event that your trip is delayed or canceled for a covered reason.
1.) Amina Deamon is the founder of Perspectives Travel. Based in New Orleans, she is affiliated with SmartFlyer and Virtuoso – two of the most prestigious companies in the travel world – enabling her to get her clients what she calls the VIP perks they deserve.
2.) Lux Travel Girl was created to offer existing and future clients an outlet to capture the luxury of fashion, spiritual, culinary, and entertainment travel.
3.) Up in The Air Life CEO Claire Soares created a multimillion-dollar travel empire focusing on luxury travel.
4.) Bruce Powell is the Lead Travel Consultant and Owner of BWP Travel, LLC. With more than ten years of experience as a travel agent, Bruce’s agency, BWP Travel, LLC, is a Virtuoso Affiliated Agency.
5.) Travel with Sparkle was founded in 2007 by Nadia “Sparkle” Henry. Fueled by her genuine love of traveling with friends and family, she created a full-service travel company devoted to group travel, individual travel, and family travel.
6.) LaVon Travel & Lifestyle was founded by Tiffany LaVon Layne after realizing there was a gap in the industry to deliver high-touch personalized service to discerning private travelers who wanted more from their travel experiences.
7.) Sherwin Banda is the president and founder of African Travel – the longest established luxury safari operator focused exclusively on the African continent.
8.) Belvin Baldwin II is the owner of Showtime Travel: an agency that has curated luxury travel vacations and experiences since 2002.
9.) Up in the Air Life Specializes in creating lifestyle experiences for working professionals. Website: www.upintheairlife.com
Travel Supplies
Hair care products offered in hotel rooms are mostly not optimal for 3A or coiler curl types. If you’re driving to your next travel destination, you can aways tuck your favorite conditioner in your bag. But TSA restrictions on liquid sizes can make taking the best hair care products on your next flight a lot harder. Black Travel Box solves that problem with its TSA-compliant line of products catered to Black hair and skin. The products are concentrated, so a little goes a long way on thick hair. Take the company’s travel quiz to figure out the best destinations, hairstyle and products for you.
Looking for a trendy, classy tote and bag for your next flight overseas? Check out Tote & Carry, founded by partners Tony Rey and Tony Dennis. Available in multiple colors, the matching backpack and duffle bag sets by Tote & Carry are the perfect sizes for a personal item and carry-on. If you like to avoid checking bags, this combo is for you. Both pieces are roomy with lots of compartments for your stuff.
It’s no secret that skin of all shades is susceptible to UV damage. But it’s annoying when you’re endlessly rubbing in sunscreen because it leaves a white cast on dark skin, and just won’t absorb. Shontay Lundy was tired of this problem, so she founded Black Girl Sunscreen in 2016. The SPF 30 sunscreen goes on clear and contains humectants that protect skin against premature aging, fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Travel Apps
Maybe you don’t want to pay for your airline ticket all up front, but you don’t want to accrue interest on a credit card, either. Airfordable allows you to instead pay a partial, up-front fee when booking airline tickets. You’ll continue to pay off the fare in installments before the flight. Ama Marfo created the travel app after experiencing the price shock of booking flights home to Ghana as a college student.
It's no secret that purchasing your food at farmers markets while traveling is a great way to save money and sample fresh, local food and goods. Founded by Hugh Molotsi, Soko helps you find farmers markets while traveling, connects you to food producers and even lets you place orders. “Soko” translates to “market” in Swahili.
Safety and a sense of connection are prime concerns for Black tourists domestically and abroad. Founded by Martinique Lewis, ABC Greenbook helps Black travelers connect with Black communities and businesses abroad; a helpful tool for expats. Lewis was inspired by the Negro Motorist Greenbook, which aided Black travelers during the Jim Crow era.
Themed Lodging
Urban Cowboy Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee is part of the Urban Cowboy brand, co-founded and co-owned by Jersey Banks. The brand also has properties in Denver and the Catskills. The Nashville location is an adults-only resort, with eight incredible suites within a Victorian mansion. Head to the hotel’s Public House Bar, a former stable house, for craft cocktails and award-winning pizza.
Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn, New York was founded in 1995 by Monique Greenwood, former editor-in-chief for Essence Magazine. The bed & breakfast features luxurious, Afrocentric suites in an 1860s mansion. Greenwood has also opened high-end properties in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Cape May, New Jersey.
La Maison in Midtown in Houston, Texas is a European-themed, luxury bed & breakfast owned by Sharon Owens and Genora Boykins. Guest rooms have five-star amenities such as private spa baths, couples rain showers, and jacuzzi tubs. Located in the heart of Houston, the property puts you just a few minutes from popular restaurants and more.
Tour Operators
Explore Jax Core, owned by Yollie Copeland, features tours of Jacksonville, Florida and its surroundings. If you’re interested in Black history and culture, Copeland will curate a guided tour of the city based on those themes and more.
Cultural Heritage Alliance for Tourism, owned by Stephanie M. Jones, operates in multiple cities and connects travelers with local experts on Black history. CHAT focuses on history tours that highlight important, but lesser-known Black figures.
OMNoire, owned by Christina Rice, offers global wellness retreats catered to Black women. Take the OMNoire quiz to find out which retreat is right for you. Retreats cover multiple interests including yoga, wine, books and more.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Look out for your safety while traveling domestically and abroad by purchasing travel insurance. You should know that your standard health insurance policy may not fully protect you if you have a medical emergency abroad. Emergency medical benefits included in certain Allianz Travel Insurance plan can help you fill coverage gaps while traveling internationally. We also offer benefits that can provide reimbursement for certain non-refundable expenses in the event that your trip is delayed or canceled for a covered reason.
