The Reality: It's Different (And That's Okay to Acknowledge)
Black travelers face unique considerations that don't always appear in traditional travel guides. This isn't about fear or limiting where we go—it's about being informed and prepared so we can travel confidently and fully enjoy our experiences.
What this looks like in practice:
- Being followed in luxury stores or treated with suspicion in high-end hotels
- Questioning whether unwelcoming behavior is personal, cultural, or racial
- Researching not just "best restaurants" but "where will I be comfortable"
- Preparing for questions about our presence in first-class or luxury accommodations
- Navigating stares, comments, or microaggressions in predominantly white spaces
These experiences don't define every trip, but they're common enough that we plan around them. And that's valid.
Where Black Travelers Generally Feel Most Welcome
🌍 Africa
Why it's special: Being in the majority is a completely different experience. No stares, no questions, no assumptions. Many Black travelers describe African trips as deeply emotional—reconnecting with ancestry, seeing Black people in positions of power and success, and experiencing what it's like to simply exist without hypervisibility.
Top destinations: South Africa (Cape Town, safari), Ghana (heritage tourism, vibrant culture), Tanzania (luxury safari), Morocco (Marrakech, Atlas Mountains), Seychelles (island luxury)
🏝️ Caribbean
Why it's special: Black-majority or Black-led destinations where luxury hospitality is delivered by people who look like us. The Caribbean offers world-class resorts without the racial stress that can accompany European or Asian luxury travel.
Top destinations: Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas
🇧🇷 South America
Why it's special: Brazil, in particular, has a significant Black population and vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture. Colombia is increasingly welcoming. These destinations offer luxury without the racial isolation that can occur in predominantly white spaces.
Top destinations: Brazil (Rio, Salvador, Bahia), Colombia (Cartagena, Bogotá)
🇵🇹 Portugal
Why it's special: Among European countries, Portugal consistently ranks as one of the most welcoming for Black travelers. Lisbon has a diverse population, and the country's colonial history has created more awareness and less overt racism than some neighboring countries.
Why it works: Cosmopolitan cities, growing Black Portuguese community, generally friendly culture
Navigating Europe: A Nuanced Picture
Europe is complex. Major cities like London, Paris, and Amsterdam have substantial Black communities and are generally welcoming. But experiences vary significantly by country, city, and even neighborhood.
Generally Welcoming European Cities:
- London: Diverse, multicultural, large Black British population
- Paris: Significant African diaspora, used to Black tourists (though racial profiling exists)
- Amsterdam: Progressive, diverse, welcoming
- Lisbon: Friendliest in Southern Europe
- Barcelona: Cosmopolitan, tourist-heavy, generally accepting
Proceed with Awareness:
- Eastern Europe: Far fewer Black residents, more stares, potential hostility in some areas
- Rural areas anywhere: Less diversity, more curiosity (sometimes innocent, sometimes not)
- Italy outside major cities: Beautiful but can be isolating; stares are common
- Scandinavia: Progressive politically but very homogeneous; you'll stand out
Important Nuance
Stares don't always equal hostility. In some cultures, people simply aren't accustomed to seeing Black people and react with curiosity rather than malice. That doesn't make it comfortable, but context matters. Learning to distinguish curiosity from aggression is a skill Black travelers develop over time.
Asia: Beautiful, Complex, Worth Visiting
Asia presents unique considerations. You'll often be the only Black person in spaces, which can feel isolating. Colorism exists across Asian cultures, and anti-Black prejudice is present in some communities.
That said: Asian hospitality is exceptional, and many Black travelers have wonderful experiences. The key is preparation and realistic expectations.
What to Expect:
- Stares and photos: Common in countries with fewer Black residents (China, Japan, Vietnam)
- Touching hair: Happens, especially with children (set boundaries)
- Colorism: Skin-lightening products everywhere, preference for lighter skin tones
- Service: Generally excellent once you're in luxury spaces
Best Asian Destinations for Black Travelers:
- Thailand: Tourist-heavy, welcoming, experienced with diverse visitors
- Bali: Spiritual, accepting, focused on tourism hospitality
- Dubai: International, luxury-focused, diverse expat population
- Japan: Curious but generally polite; respectful distance
Practical Strategies for Confident Travel
1. Research Matters More for Us
We can't just show up anywhere and assume we'll be comfortable. Before booking:
- Search "[destination] Black travelers" for firsthand accounts
- Join Black travel groups on Facebook, Reddit, Instagram
- Read reviews from other Black travelers specifically
- Ask friends or advisors who've been there
2. Book Through Advisors with Industry Relationships
When you book through established advisors (like us), hotels know you're a valued client. This provides a buffer against discrimination and ensures issues are addressed quickly if they arise.
3. Choose Luxury Strategically
Higher-end properties are generally more professional and less likely to engage in overt discrimination. Staff are trained in hospitality standards, and properties can't afford the reputational risk of racial incidents.
4. Document Everything
If you experience discrimination:
- Note names, dates, times, specific incidents
- Keep receipts and booking confirmations
- Take photos/videos if safe to do so
- Report to hotel management immediately
- Share experiences publicly (reviews, social media) to warn others
5. Trust Your Instincts
If a situation feels unsafe or unwelcoming, leave. Your comfort and safety matter more than salvaging a reservation. No experience is worth compromising your wellbeing.
Hair Care While Traveling
Let's address the practical: finding products and stylists abroad can be challenging.
Pack your essentials:
- Bring more product than you think you need
- Travel-size versions of your staples
- Satin/silk pillowcase or bonnet
- Wide-tooth comb, edge control, oils
Protective styles are your friend: Braids, twists, or wigs eliminate the need to find products or stylists abroad.
Research in advance: Major cities often have Black hair salons. London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Toronto have strong options. Smaller cities or rural areas? Bring everything.
The Beautiful Reality: We Belong Everywhere
Here's what we want you to know: Despite the challenges, Black travelers are exploring the world in record numbers. We're hiking Patagonia, staying at luxury resorts in the Maldives, sipping wine in Tuscany, and diving in the Great Barrier Reef.
The world is ours too.
Yes, we navigate additional considerations. Yes, we research more thoroughly. Yes, we sometimes encounter racism. But we also experience profound joy, connection, and transformation through travel.
We return home with stories of kindness from strangers, unexpected friendships across cultures, and the confidence that comes from moving through the world on our own terms.
Our Commitment to You
At Aurum Travel Consulting, we understand these considerations intimately. We research destinations through the lens of Black travelers. We partner with properties and guides who treat our clients with the respect and dignity they deserve. And if issues arise during your trip, we advocate on your behalf immediately.
Your comfort, safety, and joy are our priorities—always.
Final Thoughts
Luxury travel while Black requires additional awareness, but it shouldn't require compromising your dreams or limiting your destinations. With proper preparation, the right partners, and a healthy dose of confidence, the world opens up.
Travel has always been an act of freedom and resistance for Black people. Every stamp in your passport, every country explored, every boundary crossed is a statement: We belong here. We are global citizens. We claim our space in this world.
So go. Research thoroughly, prepare wisely, and then go experience the extraordinary beauty this world offers. You deserve it.