African Americans Abroad: Exploring Travel Trends

Black Americans are less likely to have travelled abroad than their White counterparts. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, 75% of White Americans have travelled internationally, compared to only 49% of Black Americans. This disparity is likely due to several factors, including income and education levels, which are often lower for Black Americans due to systemic racism and discrimination. Despite these challenges, Black Americans are increasingly seeking international travel and relocation, with some popular destinations including Medellín, Lisbon, Belize, and Accra. In 2019, Black U.S. leisure travellers spent $109.4 billion on travel, demonstrating the significant economic impact of this demographic in the travel industry.

Black Americans are less likely to have travelled abroad than White or Hispanic Americans

Black Americans are much less likely to have travelled abroad than White or Hispanic Americans. According to a 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center, only 49% of Black Americans have travelled internationally, compared to 75% of White Americans and 73% of Hispanic Americans. This disparity is not simply a matter of preference; it is influenced by systemic factors such as income, education, and racial profiling.

Income is a significant factor in determining one's ability to travel abroad. In the United States, Black Americans have a lower median income than White or Hispanic Americans. This disparity in income contributes to the lower rate of international travel among Black Americans. Additionally, education plays a role in travel habits. Americans with lower levels of education are less likely to have travelled abroad, and Black Americans are more likely to have attained lower levels of education due to systemic barriers and inequalities in the education system.

Racial profiling and discrimination are also factors that discourage Black Americans from travelling abroad. Despite the joys of travel, many Black Americans are reluctant to navigate the challenges and dangers of travelling while Black. The constant threat of racial profiling, discrimination, and violence can make travelling a stressful and frightening experience. This is especially true in predominantly white destinations or in countries with a history of racism and racial tension.

However, the desire for freedom and safety has driven an increasing number of Black Americans to consider relocating abroad permanently. Destinations such as Lisbon, Portugal, and Accra, Ghana, are becoming increasingly popular among Black expatriates. These expats seek to escape the racial tensions and violence prevalent in the United States and find communities that offer safety, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.

While international travel among Black Americans is lower than that of White or Hispanic Americans, there is a growing trend of Black travellers seeking new experiences, safety, and freedom beyond the borders of the United States.

Black American travellers spent $109.4 billion on travel in 2019

According to a report by MMGY Global, Black American leisure travellers spent a total of $109.4 billion on travel in 2019. This was based on the findings of the 2019 Shifflet Travel Performance/Monitor survey, which polled 4,800 Black leisure travellers within the United States. The report also revealed that Black travellers took an average of three overnight vacations and spent an average of 13.1 nights in paid accommodations. On average, they spent $600 on each overnight leisure stay, with an average stay duration of 2.5 nights per trip.

The findings of the report were welcomed by the Black Travel Alliance (BTA), with BTA President Martinique Lewis stating that they "will become our calling card to destination management organizations and travel brands as we work to increase Black representation at all levels of the travel industry". The report also analysed the challenges faced by Black meeting professionals when organising events for Black groups, with 84% of meeting planners indicating that some destinations are more welcoming of meetings with predominantly Black attendees.

The MMGY Global report also included a survey of 200 members of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP). The results showed that NCBMP meeting professionals plan an average of 7.5 meetings per year, spending over $900,000 annually on these events. The average expenditure per meeting exceeded $120,000, and 57% of planners indicated that they typically organise off-site events for attendees, resulting in a positive economic impact for local communities.

Despite the significant spending power of the Black travel community, Black meeting professionals continue to face obstacles when arranging events for Black groups. To address these challenges, MMGY Global and its supporting sponsors have pledged to donate all net proceeds from the report to partner organisations such as BTA, NCBMP, and other non-profit groups. This initiative reflects a commitment to increasing Black representation and addressing diversity issues within the travel industry.

Black Americans are searching for freedom abroad due to dangers of racism in America

Black Americans are searching for freedom abroad due to the dangers of racism in America. While international travel is something that 71% of US adults have done, Black Americans are much less likely to have ever travelled outside of the country, with only 49% having done so, compared to 75% of white Americans.

For many Black Americans, the persistent threat of gun violence and racial profiling by law enforcement officials in the US has caused them to seek a life overseas. The fear of being targeted and discriminated against has prevented many from exploring the world. One Black American woman, Denise Frazier, who has travelled to seven different countries within a year, said:

> I am very much set on living outside of the United States. I do not want to die in the United States of America.

Frazier, who is from Philadelphia, has experienced racial profiling first-hand, and as a mother, is frequently worried about her son's safety. She recounted an incident where her son was thrown to the ground by police officers during a vehicle stop, despite following her instructions to "put your hands on the steering wheel" and "do not make any sudden moves".

Another Black American, Twanna Hines, who now resides in Lisbon, Portugal, said:

> The amount of violence in the United States cannot be overstated. Removing myself from that environment has done wonders for my mental health. As a Black American woman living abroad, I feel freer.

Hines, who has also lived in the Netherlands and England, describes living as a Black American as an experience that sometimes feels like a "collective level of PTSD". She explains that this manifests in her daily life, such as hearing a loud "pop" sound and wondering if it was fireworks or a gunshot, or being in a crowded space and being highly aware of the exits.

The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020 provided fresh evidence that living outside the USA can be an exercise in self-preservation for Black Americans. A study in 2019 by the National Academy of Sciences found that Black men were about 2.5 times more likely than white men to be killed by police.

For some, leaving the US is not just about escaping racism and police brutality, but also about seeking economic opportunities. Lakeshia Ford, who moved to Ghana full-time, said that although racism in the USA contributed to her decision, she was also intrigued by Ghanaian culture and what she saw as a growing economic success story.

While some Black Americans have chosen to leave the country, others are using their experiences to help others travel more safely. Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global, created an online platform for Black travel reviews, where travellers can rate destinations and share tips to help the next individual looking to travel.

Black travellers are using online platforms to rate destinations and share experiences of racism

Black travellers are increasingly turning to online platforms to share their experiences of racism and rate destinations according to how safe they feel for Black people. This trend comes amid a broader increase in international travel among Black Americans, who have traditionally been less likely to travel abroad than their White or Hispanic counterparts.

One such platform is Green Book Global, a website founded by Lawrence Phillips that provides Black travel reviews and an online booking platform. The site aims to empower Black travellers to explore the world confidently by sharing "Traveling While Black" experiences for various destinations. Green Book Global has over 5,000 crowd-sourced travel tips for over 400 destinations, covering categories such as Things to Do, Adventure, Relaxation, and most importantly, what it's like to travel there as a Black person.

The creation of Green Book Global was inspired by Phillips' own experiences of burnout and his desire to travel the world. During his journey, he encountered the stress of navigating his Black identity in different destinations and struggled to find a consistent resource that provided insights on travelling as a Black person. This led him to create a platform that consolidates information on various destinations, including scores and tips from other Black travellers.

Another similar platform is the Green Book, a historical guidebook for African American travellers published from 1936 to 1966. Created by Victor H. Green, a New Jersey Postal Worker, the book provided a list of accommodations, restaurants, and other establishments that served African Americans during the Jim Crow era. The original Green Book helped Black travellers navigate racial discrimination and segregation laws that made travelling dangerous and difficult.

Today, online platforms like Green Book Global continue this legacy by providing Black travellers with valuable information about safety, discrimination, and cultural experiences. These platforms enable Black travellers to make informed decisions about their destinations and prepare for potential challenges. By sharing their experiences and ratings, Black travellers can support each other in navigating a world still affected by systemic racism and neo-colonialism.

As Black travellers continue to face unique challenges and concerns, these online platforms play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and empowerment. They provide a space for Black travellers to share their insights, enhance each other's safety, and promote destinations that offer a warm and welcoming environment.

Destinations such as Lisbon, Accra, and Medellín are popular with Black American expats

Black Americans are less likely to have travelled internationally when compared to their White and Hispanic counterparts. However, destinations such as Lisbon, Accra, and Medellín are popular with Black American expats.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a popular destination for Black American expats due to its vibrant city life, safety, affordability, and rich diversity and culture. Lisbon is regarded as a very safe city, especially for a capital city of its size, with violent crime rates being low. It is also considered more affordable when compared to other Western European capitals such as London or Paris. Lisbon is also rich in diversity and culture, and a place where Black expats thrive.

Accra

Accra, Ghana is known for its welcoming vibe and relatively low cost of living. There are more than 3,000 African Americans living in Accra, and many Black Americans report feeling safe and free in Ghana. Accra has a low cost of living compared to major cities in North America or Europe, with a single person able to live comfortably on $800-$1,500 per month.

Medellín

Medellín has grown in popularity over the years due to its exciting city life, active nightlife, thriving Black expat community, and affordability. The cost of living in Medellín is usually between 800-1000 USD, with rent, transportation, and food expenses being more affordable than in many Western cities. The city has also made significant progress in terms of safety, especially since the 1990s when it was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world due to drug-related violence.

Frequently asked questions