The History Of Black Travel was created last year by the Black Travel Alliance’s Research Committee in partnership with Tourism RESET. It provides insight on the early Black travel explorers and groundbreakers, major migration movements, and leisure travel developments of those from the African Diaspora. It also includes major judicial and legislative events as well as cultural events that have inspired Black travel. Included in the initial launch of the History of Black Travel timeline were 130-plus entries from the Americas, focusing mostly on the United States. According to a press release, the plan is to continue building out the timeline to add Black leisure travel stories from all continents and countries across the globe.

“We brainstormed a number of research initiatives related to Black travel and in the end felt that the History of Black Travel website with a timeline would have the most impact as it helps to educate and correct the misperception that Black people just started to travel for leisure,” Ursula Petula Barzey, research committee chair, Black Travel Alliance, said in the release. “We’ve been traveling since the beginning of time and have made major contributions to the development of leisure travel and tourism.”

The Black Travel Alliance, along with Tourism RESET, take a co-construction approach, inviting suggestions from the wider community of travelers, historians, scholars and tourism stakeholders who are interested in Black leisure travel.

This feedback assists with the development of the 12 main categories of the timeline that will help viewers focus on different aspects of Black travel throughout various eras, locations and decades, according to the release. Major categories include accommodations, explorers, groundbreakers, and leisure travel developments spotlighting cultural sites and tours, festivals and major events, outdoor activities, food and drink, retail, and wellness.

The History of Black Travel also has categories and entries related to slavery, migration, and the government with legislative and judicial rulings as they provide background and context for many of the Black leisure travel developments.

For destinations and travel brands that wish to tap into the Black leisure market, which according to a study from MMGY Global is valued at $129.6 billion in the United States alone, the History of Black Travel can be used as a resource to educate and guide discussions related to the contributions of Black people to travel historically, presently, and in the future. The History of Black Travel can also serve as a valuable tool for educators looking to bring a different perspective from traditional media related to travel, tourism and exploration, the release said.

“History not only tells us the story of our past but also informs our perspective as we move into the future,” said Dr. Alana Dillette, co-director, Tourism RESET, in the press release. “The History Of Black Travel timeline is a long-overdue tool for educators, researchers and industry professionals to use in an effort to break down stereotypes and misconceptions of who the trailblazers in the travel industry really were. So often, Black people are plagued by the collective memory of slavery and the many injustices that followed. The History of Black Travel timeline is an opportunity to shape-shift the narrative of Black travel history and own our stories — both the triumphs and the hardships.”