Celebrating Black History Month: Black Professionals Pioneer Sustainable Tourism
As Black History Awareness Month unfolds, let's understand better how black-owned travel companies shape our industry. We will take a deep dive with academic articles, experiences shared by black travel leaders, and data to gain insight into the current situation.
We are far from perfect, but the question is: are we even on the right path?
Diversity in Tourism Paves the Way to Sustainability
It's Black History Month, and that means it's time to reflect, celebrate, and soak up some education. Recently, black professionals have been breaking new ground in sustainable tourism with impressive moves! They’re entwining care for our environment and local communities.
Their stories are as captivating as they come—think eco-conscious boutique hotels sprouting up thanks to them championing community craftsmen or those handcrafted cultural tours boosting neighborhood economies. These visionaries are not just telling stories, pioneering research, and running businesses; they are spinning tales through every venture while safeguarding cultural treasures.
E’Lisha Victoria Fogle, Lauren N Duffy & Walt Hunter released an article On being a Black woman ‘Mzungu’ researcher in 2022, in which they explored the following questions: How did my Black body, nationality, and gender (social identities) influence the research process? How do Zambians perceive African-Americans conducting research in their country? What does it mean to be an African-American woman researcher conducting research in the diasporic locations in the Global South? The article is eye-opening and unique in the sense that it was a white black woman researching in an African continent the impact of her race and gender. In the beginning, she states that when she met her research team, “none of them had ever met an African-American researcher before, let alone, an African-American woman researcher.” And while her race (and nationality) proved to be beneficial to her, it was her gender that created some challenges.
Academics and their research are what shapes modern-day stories. As we have explored in previous articles, storytelling has a major role in shaping not only the way we think, but also how we act in destinations. Thus, the involvement of black researchers is crucial in a more balanced understanding of the world and in a more inclusive tourism space. Having said that, just like the feminist movement also counts on men, the black movement should be able to count on the white and it is the responsibility of tourism professionals like myself, a white privileged woman, to try to understand and to provide a safe space for the expression of black tourism professionals.
Black History Awareness Through Sustainable Travel
Black History Month gives us more than a retrospective—it's our ticket to writing new chapters. Black tourism experts are leading the change by turning sustainable tourism into lessons and stories that stick with you long after you've returned home. Why settle for just visiting somewhere, when there’s so much power in really getting why a place matters? See, these trailblazers show us every corner through eyes of those who built and fought for them. Travel then transforms—a captivating class outside classroom walls.
Imagine this: curated trips where stepping back in time and exploring the Black History is part of the itinerary. You’re not only hitting up significant spots but also rubbing elbows with folks who keep history alive daily! These pros put Black heritage on center stage—spotlighting everything from civil rights sites to hidden gems worldwide celebrating black achievements that are traditionally left out from our history books. Isn’t it something how journeys like these can change your client’s outlook?
The professionals leading these journeys are more than just guides—they're guardians of a vivid past, tirelessly working to keep and spread its essence. They connect with the heart of communities, drawing them into spinning tales that stay true-to-the-core and resist being washed away by profit-driven motives. Ever wondered how you could truly understand Black culture's tenacity and impact? It comes alive through the stories told by its very own people! The ripple effect is profound: it opens eyes for travelers while sparking pride and opening doors financially for those who call these places home. Thoughtful sustainable travel has the power to safeguard historical treasures at risk of disappearing—and in doing so, weaves an enduring tapestry that will be cherished long into tomorrow.
Giving the Word to the Real Experts
This is probably the shortest article at Sustain & Impact Tourism for one reason: it was written by a white woman. There are so many things I would love to share with you about race, my thoughts on equality, and on creating a better future hand-in-hand because I am passionate about a better and a more equal world. However, I have to stay real. I am white. I do not know what it is like to live as a black person, to be denied opportunities because of the colour of my skin, or (on a more positive note), to have access to ancient knowledge passed from generation to generation. So, rather than writing further, here are some resources that continue teaching me about the role of Black tourism professionals:
Illusion of inclusion: #BlackVanlife as counter-storytelling
This Is the Future of Black Travel, According to Industry Leaders
Traveling to escape, resist, and belong: centering black experiences within tourism scholarship
Diversity is the key of sustainability and while Sustain & Impact Tourism does not have the expertise in Black Tourism, we would love to learn more. We appreciate if you could share with us your most valuable resources, your stories, information about admired Black leaders.