Uncharted Horizons: Exploring the Significance of Black Travel History through Collaborative Efforts between Industry and Academia

Despite recent attention to Black travel, historical perspectives remain limited. Our ongoing research introduces a comprehensive study on the history of Black travel, addressing the Eurocentric bias in U.S. travel narratives and explores the complexities of Black individuals' experiences in travel, navigating racial inequality, discrimination, and segregation. A collaboration between the Black Travel Alliance and Tourism RESET resulted in the creation of the History of Black Travel timeline, featuring over 130 entries across sixteen categories spanning seven centuries (1492-2024). The timeline serves as an interactive resource for educators, destinations, and researchers, offering insights into Black travel explorers, groundbreakers, and major events. The study emphasizes the implications for educators, facilitating inclusive pedagogy, and advocates for the travel industry's engagement in displays, exhibitions, and workshops to amplify Black travel history. Ultimately, this initiative aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the global impact of Black travelers on societies, cultures, and the trajectory of travel itself.