Black-Owned Travel Brands to Support, from Hotels to Products

Travel is Better in Color set out on a mission to diversify the white-washed world of travel media. Through boosting Black travel writers and Black-owned travel companies, the organization seeks to bring about diversity in thought and experience. In honor of Black History Month, Travel is Better in Color shared their top Black-owned travel brands from hotels to tour groups and books to products. Make sure to use your purchasing power to support and uplift these companies. 

Both home and abroad, there are a variety of Black-owned hotels. From Cape Town to Brooklyn, there are opportunities to support Black hotel owners everywhere. 

Curiocity is a Black-owned network of hotels and hostels in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. They pride themselves on providing an authentic African experience through design and experience while remaining affordable for travelers.

Located in Marrakech, Jhane Tamsna is a beautifully unique hotel. This spot has 24 rooms that span across five houses, five pools, a tennis court, and a nine-acre garden. 

If you’re visiting New York City, book your stay at this cozy B&B located in an 1860s landmark mansion in Brooklyn. Awkaaba was founded by a former Essence editor and has been in business for almost 25 years. 

Located on the quaint Virginian countryside, the Salamander Resort & Spa is perfect for a little R&R. Spanning 340-acres, this resort has everything from ziplining to horseback riding, bike rentals to fishing. It’s complete with a state-of-the-art spa and the cutest mascot: a miniature horse named Cupcake who hosts cocktail hours, meet and greets, and photoshoots. 

This boutique lodging chainlet was founded by a husband-and-wife duo with locations in Brooklyn, Nashville, and the Catskills. Urban Cowboy has become known for its maximalist, luxurious designs.

Located just an hour outside of NYC, Audrey’s Farmhouse is the perfect rural escape. With stylishly designed rooms and unique history, it’s no wonder why people flock to this up-state location.

There are so many Black-owned tour companies that offer a variety of travel opportunities. Camp Yoshi, which tours the wilderness of the western U.S, focuses on the importance of unplugging and connecting to nature. Civil Bikes, based in Atlanta, offers tours of the city’s history, culture, and art scene. 

Across the pond, Soul Traveller provides group experiences through Cape Town and Johannesburg, with experiences like gin tastings and garden tours. Tastemakers Africa is for those who want a deeper cultural experience. They help connect travelers with “immersive activities” such as market tours with local designers and cooking lessons. 

Up in the Air Life, a travel concierge service, helps travelers plan luxurious vacations down to the little details.

There are so many travel books and guides to choose from, so why not try these new releases from Black travel writers? The ABC Travel Green Book, inspired by the original guidebook that helped African American travelers navigate the South during Jim Crow, delves into the plethora of Black-owned businesses globally. 

Crush Global, founded by travel journalist Kristin Braswell, creates uniquely curated travel guides. On her site, there are a variety of travel guides from road trips to location-based guides. Braswell makes sure to highlight the best Black-owned restaurants, lodging options, and shops.

Don’t put more of your spending dollars into Amazon and Jeff Bezos’ pockets, buy some travel accessories from these Black-owned brands.

Founded by travel lover and mom Imani Bashir, the Expat Bag is perfect for parents on-the-go. The three-in-one multifunctional waterproof duffle will be available soon; follow The Takeoff Collection on Instagram for more updates. 

This versatile blanket has many uses, making it perfect for any vacation or excursion. The plush material is large when spread out but can be compacted to be used as a pillow or scarf. 

This signature bag is the perfect carry-on. Made with vegan materials, the bag features compression straps, pockets, a water-resistant zipper, and a hidden handle for overhead retrieval. 

There are so many Black-owned travel media companies that surely deserve attention and consumer dollars. Check out The Black Explorer, a travel magazine that highlights Black travel writers. 

The Irin Journal, another print publication, delves into different African cities each issue. Based in Lagos, the Irin Journalexplores the continent through the people, communities, and culture that make it great. Then there is Fly Brother, a travel docu-series starring Ernest White II. The program airs on Public Television; click here for airtimes. 

To learn more about Travel is Better in Color or to get involved, head over to their website and follow them on social media.