When I am contemplating international travel, I more often than not think of Caribbean destinations.  Why?   Because the region is close and convenient, and this is where I can see people who look like me, plus enjoy the culture, food and music that has it’s roots in our Motherland Africa.   My father was from Trinidad, and I still have family there, so my interest in the region is genuine and authentic!!

            Years ago, when Black Meetings & Tourism held the Global Travel Pavilion at the Congressional Black Cause Legislative Weekend trade show, we used to take surveys about travel patterns and trends.   Of the   multitude of   African-American attendees who stopped by our booth, the overwhelming majority of them placed Caribbean destinations at the top of their travel wish lists.

At a time when the industry is still rebuilding from the pandemic’s crushing impact on consumer demand, no destination or travel-related business can afford to overlook the revenue opportunities that the ethnic travel marker represents.

“If you want to maintain your relevancy and sustain your growth, it just makes sense to expand or broaden your consumer base,” says Jason Dunn, Executive Director of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP).