‘we Out Here’: Inside The New Black Travel Movement

Menina Preta

Well-Known Member
...I almost bought the Etihad deal, but I couldn't justify the entire trip's cost for lodging, etc. b/c of major life changes on the horizon.

About hardcore Black millenial travelers and what I've noticed...some of my good friends are frequent travelers. One even joined the foreign service just to live abroad. While they were elated to be out of the country for extended periods of time, I think they missed being around for big life events in for their family and friends. They also missed being with those they had a strong connection and history with, eventually. When I come into contact with others who just work to travel, I feel some lack direction and can be a bit flaky as they're all about getting that next "authentic" experience.

I'll probably join these groups for the fare deals, but their whole mantra about life being about travel was not appealing to me at all, b/c I think life is way more than just accumulating passport stamps. And I love to travel, have been to four continents so far, planning to go to my fifth one this year, lived abroad for some time in college and grad school, and speak one other language fluently and can fairly understand two other languages as well...So I'm not saying this as a Miami-Vegas-Caribbean only traveling American...
 

andromeda

Well-Known Member
Right now, about a third of Americans have passports and as of 1990, it was 3%, so yes the notion of black (Americans) traveling is and will seem novel to many. A large segment of the population associates international travel with having disposable time and money - and thus with the wealthy or retirees!

It feels like this thread has become a contest of who can be more obtuse about why this movement is important. I think there's a way to talk about the experiences of ourselves, our parents and the black people we know while acknowledging that there's a certain mindset and socioeconomic and educational factors that have made international travel seem out of the grasp of most.
 

FemmeFatale

Well-Known Member
Right now, about a third of Americans have passports and as of 1990, it was 3%, so yes the notion of black (Americans) traveling is and will seem novel to many. A large segment of the population associates international travel with having disposable time and money - and thus with the wealthy or retirees!

It feels like this thread has become a contest of who can be more obtuse about why this movement is important. I think there's a way to talk about the experiences of ourselves, our parents and the black people we know while acknowledging that there's a certain mindset and socioeconomic and educational factors that have made international travel seem out of the grasp of most.

This. I follow travelnoire on IG and while I love the general idea, I feel like some of their posts come off as condescending and downright shady. There's no need for that.
 

FelaShrine

Well-Known Member
...I almost bought the Etihad deal, but I couldn't justify the entire trip's cost for lodging, etc. b/c of major life changes on the horizon.

About hardcore Black millenial travelers and what I've noticed...some of my good friends are frequent travelers. One even joined the foreign service just to live abroad. While they were elated to be out of the country for extended periods of time, I think they missed being around for big life events in for their family and friends. They also missed being with those they had a strong connection and history with, eventually. When I come into contact with others who just work to travel, I feel some lack direction and can be a bit flaky as they're all about getting that next "authentic" experience.

I'll probably join these groups for the fare deals, but their whole mantra about life being about travel was not appealing to me at all, b/c I think life is way more than just accumulating passport stamps. And I love to travel, have been to four continents so far, planning to go to my fifth one this year, lived abroad for some time in college and grad school, and speak one other language fluently and can fairly understand two other languages as well...So I'm not saying this as a Miami-Vegas-Caribbean only traveling American...

I get it but I reckon its not just black millennials who are guilty of this
 

Menina Preta

Well-Known Member
What?! I didn't know that! Girl you know I love your travel pics. I always get my life through your pics. Lol

I will admit though, there are certain people I see on IG who stay "jetsetting." One day in Laos and the next day Tanzania. Now its none of my business but I can't help but wonder "You don't have a job? Like, do you work?"

lol at the bolded. Right! Like do you have savings? :lol:

Right now, about a third of Americans have passports and as of 1990, it was 3%, so yes the notion of black (Americans) traveling is and will seem novel to many. A large segment of the population associates international travel with having disposable time and money - and thus with the wealthy or retirees!

It feels like this thread has become a contest of who can be more obtuse about why this movement is important. I think there's a way to talk about the experiences of ourselves, our parents and the black people we know while acknowledging that there's a certain mindset and socioeconomic and educational factors that have made international travel seem out of the grasp of most.

True. Most Americans do not travel internationally. And while these movements are interesting, I kinda agree with others that there is a level of pretentiousness to it. I've complained about this before, but I would always roll my eyes around winter break when all my b-school friends would clog my feed with status messages detailing their travel plans written with airport codes :lol:. Wanted to tell them to chill, b, we know you travel hard. Bravo. :lol:
 

Southernbella.

Well-Known Member
lol at the bolded. Right! Like do you have savings? :lol:

True. Most Americans do not travel internationally. And while these movements are interesting, I kinda agree with others that there is a level of pretentiousness to it. I've complained about this before, but I would always roll my eyes around winter break when all my b-school friends would clog my feed with status messages detailing their travel plans written with airport codes :lol:. Wanted to tell them to chill, b, we know you travel hard. Bravo. :lol:

Yes. :lol: I've sometimes wondered if some of the folks I know would even bother to travel if there was no social media.
 

nysister

Well-Known Member
I contract and hardly ever take permanent jobs because I like my freedom and don't always wanna work around the clock.

:yep:
I know that feeling! It's career claustrophobia! :lol: I've had a few permanent jobs but I've yet to have one that I felt worth keeping. So far it's working. I'm not rich, but I'm not broke either.
 

gimbap

Well-Known Member
Yes. :lol: I've sometimes wondered if some of the folks I know would even bother to travel if there was no social media.
I say this about everything-- traveling, going out, shopping, etc. Like what if people had to do these things and couldn't take pictures and post about it. Would they still do it? :lol:
 

Solila

Well-Known Member
By the way, I see some of you folks putting down the Caribbean. Lol Take that back! There are serious gems there- some people have never even frequented or even know exist: Curacao, Bonaire, Exumas Bahamas (Pig island), Dominica, Angulia, etc.

I will say certain places might be a bit too overrated. Like St.Barth's. I've noticed yt people always ranting and raving about it. Been there and didn't see what the big deal was- what with all the celebs going there. It was beautiful but all I saw were a bunch of hard working/struggling French (and some Portuguese) folks who in reality just wanted to live the island life. Lol
 

Holla

Well-Known Member
I think there's a way to talk about the experiences of ourselves, our parents and the black people we know while acknowledging that there's a certain mindset and socioeconomic and educational factors that have made international travel seem out of the grasp of most.

A lot has changed within the last 25 years for (Black) people in this country (although some days it doesn't seem like it :ohwell:). Most noticeably is the flow of information and passport requirement.

Only recently did people need passports to travel at all internationally. Up until a few years ago (2009???), US citizens did not need a passport to travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and at least 15 other countries in the Caribbean. All people had to show was a valid govt issued id. In 1990, quite a few people went to Caribana and on cruises but they didn't have a passport.

In 1990, if a person wanted to travel s/he pretty much had to go through a travel agency. If anyone has ever been to a brick and mortar travel agency, the process can be daunting at times. They would try to sell various packages and very little in terms of competitive prices. You pretty much paid what they told you or you didn't travel. Plus, many people back then paid for trips in cash - not credit.

Now, 25 years later it is easier to travel. There is a much greater flow of information as to pricing. Just look at the Abu Dhabi deal alone! A lot of people heard about it through the internet….not their personal networks. That would not have happened 25 years ago. I mean merely one month ago, about 500 Black people who had never been to the Middle East before would have told you that they had no plans of going any time soon. One month later, those same 500 people are on Facebook joining closed groups to discuss their Abu Dhabi plans and coordinating group dinners while pairing up as random hotel mates :lol:. Opportunity is everything.
 

BillsBackerz67

Well-Known Member
By the way, I see some of you folks putting down the Caribbean. Lol Take that back! There are serious gems there- some people have never even frequented or even know exist: Curacao, Bonaire, Exumas Bahamas (Pig island), Dominica, Angulia, etc. I will say certain places might be a bit too overrated. Like St.Barth's. I've noticed yt people always ranting and raving about it. Been there and didn't see what the big deal was- what with all the celebs going there. It was beautiful but all I saw were a bunch of hard working/struggling French (and some Portuguese) folks who in reality just wanted to live the island life. Lol
I think it's moreso people staying in all inclusive resorts like Sandals, RIU, and saying "I went to Jamaica" and never stepped foot off the resort except to go back to the airport. That doesn't count IMO...I mean yeah you went...but not really :look:

My bff is from Dominica I'm trying to go when she does again. Might be a year or two because she just had a baby.
 

Always~Wear~Joy

Well-Known Member
And you don't have to join these groups for fare deals. It's more about connecting with people. If you want deals than the following are great places to start Flightdeal.com
airfarewatchdog.com
hopper.com
travelpirates.com
secretflying.com
fairdealalert.com
flynous.com
 

Solila

Well-Known Member
I think it's moreso people staying in all inclusive resorts like Sandals, RIU, and saying "I went to Jamaica" and never stepped foot off the resort except to go back to the airport. That doesn't count IMO...I mean yeah you went...but not really :look:

My bff is from Dominica I'm trying to go when she does again. Might be a year or two because she just had a baby.

You know, I've noticed the ones who are typically eager to stay at the resorts are older folks actually. Some young too though. But yeah, i gotcha. Even those yachts. Lol There are times I see them making conscious efforts to expand their horizons, especially in terms of public transportation.
I am not sure how they are doing, but I feel those big resorts might be going down in popularity a bit- comparative to (for example) treehouses. You can get really great deals with some of those treehouses.

Ooo, Dominica is gorgeous. My buddy went as well. There is this mud beach I believe. Girl, she was having the time of her life mud masking in the nude. Lol
 

Lilac87

Well-Known Member
Love this thread. I've had a strong desire to travel that seems to have popped up out of nowhere as of the last couple years. Now I can't stop thinking of places to go and see. My first real international trip is to China in March and I'm so excited!

I'm going to China with a friend but I want to learn how to go places by myself since I don't have many friends that like to travel or that can afford to.
I'm also shy and introverted so going somewhere solo will be a challenge, but I need to get over it because I miss good deals waiting on my friend(s) to book.

Anyways, thanks for all the links! Subbing...
 

Solila

Well-Known Member
Love this thread. I've had a strong desire to travel that seems to have popped up out of nowhere as of the last couple years. Now I can't stop thinking of places to go and see. My first real international trip is to China in March and I'm so excited!

I'm going to China with a friend but I want to learn how to go places by myself since I don't have many friends that like to travel or that can afford to.
I'm also shy and introverted so going somewhere solo will be a challenge, but I need to get over it because I miss good deals waiting on my friend(s) to book.

Anyways, thanks for all the links! Subbing...

Awe!! You too, have fun hunny! Takes lots of pics. Lol
 

cutiebe2

Well-Known Member
...I almost bought the Etihad deal, but I couldn't justify the entire trip's cost for lodging, etc. b/c of major life changes on the horizon.

About hardcore Black millenial travelers and what I've noticed...some of my good friends are frequent travelers. One even joined the foreign service just to live abroad. While they were elated to be out of the country for extended periods of time, I think they missed being around for big life events in for their family and friends. They also missed being with those they had a strong connection and history with, eventually. When I come into contact with others who just work to travel, I feel some lack direction and can be a bit flaky as they're all about getting that next "authentic" experience.

I'll probably join these groups for the fare deals, but their whole mantra about life being about travel was not appealing to me at all, b/c I think life is way more than just accumulating passport stamps. And I love to travel, have been to four continents so far, planning to go to my fifth one this year, lived abroad for some time in college and grad school, and speak one other language fluently and can fairly understand two other languages as well...So I'm not saying this as a Miami-Vegas-Caribbean only traveling American...

I majored in International Relations and have lots of friends in the Foreign Service. I toyed with the idea myself. I am now living abroad for work but I decided Im going home at the end of this year. I agree with you. I think taking extended trips here are there is great, but permanent expat life is not for me. Some people are lost and think that digging in the sand in Nicaragua will help them find themselves. Others glamorize the experience. I go through so many ups and downs here and when I was home for the holidays I felt like everyone just wanted to hear that everything is great and I'm in love with a Dominican Papi. :rolleyes:

And I don't judge most Americans for not having a passport. Even with deals, traveling can be pricey. Lets be real. Most of my friends who did the Dubai deal said it was 1k once they booked their hotel. That is a good deal, but its still out of reach of many Americans.
 

Priss Pot

Makeup + Bench Pressing
@LaChaBla - good question. My renewed passport arrived today. I'm not a member of any travel groups but I do have wanderlust.

I cosign to this:

"The tribe is really made of people who put travel as a priority in their entire lifestyle,” says Evita. People who barter with their employers for more PTO and telecommuting options instead of salary increases, so they can work remotely from the beaches of Jamaica. People who have, at one point or another, thought: “You know what? I don’t want to be a slave to a 9-to-5 schedule. I want to create my life so that I have more freedom to be able to travel the world, and work and live wherever I want."

This is my mentality. Yeah, I like money, but I LOVE my personal time! If I had a regular 9-5, I'd be bartering for these options too. Me having a bit of flexibility in my current career would allow me to schedule vacations as I see fit. It works out with my DH too because his company gives him a nice PTO package + telecommuting. For the holidays, we went home to visit family for 3 weeks and had a nice vacation.

I only have one stamp on my passport, but I'd like to make it a goal to visit more places.
 

locabouthair

Well-Known Member
Thanks so much for this thread OP. I was just this past weekend trying to explain to my SO this almost painful feeling of wanderlust that's hit me over the last few years. I must travel. Not in a clichéd vacation way but I really want to see a lot of the world before I die and will definitely be taking long sabbaticals from work to do so when the time is right. Until then I'll have to make do with weekends and annual weeks or fortnights away.

Going back to read the comments properly now.

I feel the same way. Since last year I have stronger desire to see the world. I have a few places on my list. I also would like to do a nission trip. So mad I missed that dubai deal because I would have jumped on it.

My regret is not studying abroad in college. I wanna kick myself for not doing that. I have to knock some places off my bucket list before I have kids and I'm gonna make it happen.
 

londontresses

Well-Known Member
I'm a card carrying member of the tribe! Whoop! Lol. Been to meet ups in New York and Thailand. Its awesome. Be warned if you're easily tempted by the latest hair products on this board you'll go broke buying flights in that group. As cheap as they are the deals are frequent!
 

LovelyLouboutin

Well-Known Member
I'm a card carrying member of the tribe! Whoop! Lol. Been to meet ups in New York and Thailand. Its awesome. Be warned if you're easily tempted by the latest hair products on this board you'll go broke buying flights in that group. As cheap as they are the deals are frequent!
this!!! They have me almost clicking BUY on so many flights. I have 6 trips this year. I don't need to buy anything else.
 

Menina Preta

Well-Known Member
I put myself on the list for Nomadness. How do they verify the passport stamp?

Requisite shade: some of Facebook friends who are in it (it shows which friends of yours are members) are straight up Houstalantavegas and PuertoDominicanRepubCancun travelers. It's already been infiltrated :lol: just teasing
 

naturalmanenyc

Well-Known Member
I'm a card carrying member of the tribe! Whoop! Lol. Been to meet ups in New York and Thailand. Its awesome. Be warned if you're easily tempted by the latest hair products on this board you'll go broke buying flights in that group. As cheap as they are the deals are frequent!

londontresses

What kind of flight deals are we talking?
Like the Travel Noire deals or something deeply discounted for private groups?

Maybe need to sign up for the Nomad group too.
Do you have to send copies of passport pages?
 

Bronxcutie

Well-Known Member
I had my first international trip on a cruise to the Bahamas in November. Now
I want to go everywhere! I waited so long to travel because I thought I couldn't
afford it. I don't make much money, but with research and planning you can
make it happen! I might do Bermuda later this year.
 

Menina Preta

Well-Known Member
I had my first international trip on a cruise to the Bahamas in November. Now
I want to go everywhere! I waited so long to travel because I thought I couldn't
afford it. I don't make much money, but with research and planning you can
make it happen! I might do Bermuda later this year.

Bermuda is super expensive though. It's quaint and close to the US so short flight (it's not a Caribbean island and while there are Caribbean aspects I suppose it's more so a British/American vibe there)...if you want a nice island that has a little more of the authentic Caribbean feel with very nice beaches, then try Bahamas. If you want to completely feel like you are in the Caribbean and are more into nature, hiking, etc., then go to Dominica.
 

lux10023

Well-Known Member
im just happy that more of our people are traveling...that makes me really happy! :grin:...when im at a resort in x country or etc i like to talk and befriend other blk ppl/couples...often times you look around and your the only blk person in sight...:ohwell:

dh and i travel heavily...i travel heavily..but i always like to meet other blk ppl/couples who we have common interests with and etc, who we can meet up with at another destination or etc.

we are great in numbers as in more than one...it also is great for the ppl in that location to see first hand how blk ppl really are versus what they watch on tv...:look:
 

Fab_Nikki

Well-Known Member
I love to travel and as a military "brat" I've traveled all over the world. However as an adult I've only recently started traveling again. I now have The Bug (Wanderlust for sure). I plan to travel any and everywhere I want for the rest of my life. My current job allows me to telework often and I take full advantage of that to avoid using leave time.

I don't knock people that are excited about Vegas or Miami because honestly my first time I was geeked!!!! Also IF that were all the could afford then "do it up, baby"! Additionally, I find great enjoyment in flying to another state to explore its beauty on a long weekend.

Also in reference to everybody traveling to the Caribbean. I have found home in Turks and Caicos (Grace Bay). I don't care how easy it is to get to or cliche it is. I plan to go there every year for the rest of my life.
 
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