Just a few short years ago, we seemed to be living in a golden age for travel. Flight deals were in no short supply and the globe was made smaller with so much access and resources for new travelers. The growth of Black Travel was front and center in popular culture, and it was a beautiful sight to see us taking up space in an industry that had overlooked us for so long.
However, the arrival of a devastating global pandemic changed everything and just like that we were all home on our couches daydreaming about our canceled travel plans and wondering if we would ever be able to explore so freely again.
It was a time to reflect for many on those things that really matter to us. It made me aware of just how much of the world I still haven’t seen and how to some degree I think I took it for granted that there will always be a time and an opportunity to go.
With all we have endured for the last two years, it’s important to get back to incorporating the things in our life that bring us joy. It was a dark and stressful time with the loss of life, jobs, and social connections. It was isolating.
For so many Black Women like me who were navigating the stress of social injustice in our communities and the unique pressures we experience in our careers, an escape and change of scenery was crucial to our self-care maintenance and we didn’t have that as an option.
The travel landscape has changed drastically with new regulations and different rules and restrictions for different destinations, but we can make travel a part of our lives again.
Here are some tips on how we can embrace travel again in this new era.
1. Make a new travel vision board.
This is your chance to set new travel goals for yourself so that you can create a plan to make them happen. You can use words or pictures or both to visualize those places you really want to see.
I have a poster board hanging in my bedroom with images of dream destinations and trips I want to plan. I also have a collection dedicated to future travels saved on Instagram so that every time I get inspired I can come back to actually plan the trip.
This year I’m excited to check off swimming with whale sharks when I go on my first cruise with UnCruise Adventures in Baja.
2. Get travel inspiration from amazing Black Travel content creators.
Instagram has always been a great resource for getting wanderlust inspiration. However, with the explosion of TikTok, there are countless creators sharing travel tips and giving us much-needed travel inspiration.
Some of my favorites right now are: @thetravelingchild, @chelseadoestravel, @worldofawanderer, @shidad, and @cedtripping.
3. Set up alerts for travel deals.
For a while I had disabled many of my alerts because it was just too sad of a reminder that I couldn’t travel. Now that things are opening again, go ahead and turn those reminders on so that you can be in the know for the latest flight and vacation package deals.
4. Travel Domestically.
There are beautiful destinations across the country just waiting to be explored. A domestic adventure can be just as thrilling and memorable as a trip abroad.
In the past year I fell in love with numerous mountainside lakes of Mammoth Lakes, CA, the Black-owned food scene in Columbia, SC, the beauty of Yosemite National Park, and the wine country of Sedona, AZ.
This year I’m looking forward to spending time in the Pacific Northwest and exploring the smaller oceanside towns along the California coast.
5. Try social distancing friendly unique accommodations.
If you are looking for ways to be as safe as possible and minimize exposure to people then you should consider accommodations like Tiny House rentals, Glamping Resorts, Treehouses, Houseboat rentals, or even Van Camping.
I loved renting a luxury camper van through Outdoorsy to get a taste of the van camping life as I road-tripped across Utah. Staying in a two-story luxury treehouse at Banning Mills in Georgia was also an unforgettable accommodation experience. This year I’m looking forward to staying in a Hobbit Hole-style cabin at Enchanted Oaks Farm in Ocala, FL.
6. Plan your trips for the shoulder seasons and off-seasons.
You can always find better deals when you don’t travel to a destination during their peak travel season. You will also have way fewer people to navigate making it easier to social distance.
7. Research travel requirements for your destination.
The U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories website is a thorough resource to help you know the travel requirements for international destinations. There is also a travel checklist. You should also read and research the official website for the country you plan to visit.
This new age of travel is ever-changing and fluid so you will need to check often for any changes leading right up to your departure and return.
This tip applies to domestic travel as well since many states and cities may have their own restrictions or regulations in place for vaccine mandates.
8. Consider small group travel.
It can be daunting to plan travel now with so many new rules and regulations. Small group travel is a great option for people who want to travel safely and know that all the important considerations are covered.
Abundant Life Adventures and Up in the Air Life are Black-owned companies that plan small group trips and help introduce you to new adventures.
9. Research and purchase travel insurance.
Travel insurance is a must to ensure that if something happens or you fall ill you can get the treatment you need or that you can get home. There are many new provisions that deal directly with the pandemic so do your research and get the plan that is best for your needs.
10. Embrace staycations.
Planning in a few staycations where you are in your city or maybe just a couple hours away is still a great way to get travel back into your life. Sometimes you just need a quick reset and staycations are an easy go-to for that quick fix.
We have so many options to travel again safely and responsibly. Pick a place. Make a plan. And let’s get back out there and take up space again in this big beautiful world.
Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of an Outdoorsy Diva Blog, host/producer of the award-winning Outdoorsy Diva Podcast, published photographer, speaker, consultant, on-air TV travel expert, and adventure coach. She is a travel writer and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure and embracing nature as therapy. Lauren is also an empty-nest mom and a dedicated long-time advocate for racial diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and adventure travel and a founding member of the Black Travel Alliance.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of KAYAK Software Corporation, its subsidiaries, and their respective parent companies or affiliate companies. This blog post may contain company or product names and/or links which are for informational purposes only, and there is no affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement by or with KAYAK Software Corporation whatsoever. The author of this blog received compensation in some form in the past from some of the companies or products mentioned in this blog post, but the author has not been compensated for inclusion of companies or products referenced in this blog post. The author of this blog post was compensated by KAYAK Software Corporation.
