MIAMI, Fla. (September 26, 2023) – Black Travel Summit (BTS) introduces National Black Travel Day (November 11), a new holiday dedicated to celebrating, honoring, and uplifting the global Black travel community.
National Black Travel Day is a day for Black travelers and travel professionals to celebrate diversity, their impact, future, and culture in travel. It is an homage to the Black travel movement; a reminder for allies, supporters, but also for the community that diversity in travel isn’t a trend that ends, it’s necessary for a brighter future for all who travel. Following the summit’s annual in-person conference in October, National Black Travel Day continues BTS’ mission of progressing the Black travel movement through unique initiatives and community-building, involving key leaders and new ideas in the space. BTS founder, Anita Francois, chose the date of November 11 to honor the birthdate of Jamaican American pilot and fellow Miami native Captain Barrington Irving, who became the first and only Black person to fly around the world solo in 2007. With National Black Travel Day, BTS hopes to instill pride in Black travel professionals and travelers and encourage the continued growth of this market.
Black Travel Summit will kick off the first National Black Travel Day commemoration with a private launch event at sponsor, Red Rooster Overtown in Miami. Located in a historic Black neighborhood, which once played host to legends like Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Ella Fitzgerald, Red Rooster Overtown honors the area’s history through comfort food, music and art.
“Black Travel Summit was founded with the aim of elevating and strengthening the presence of the Black travel community each and every day. With National Black Travel Day, we’re thrilled about this new call-to-action to recognize the importance of the global Black diaspora and culture in travel” said Anita Francois, founder and CEO of Black Travel Summit.
The 2023 Black Travel Summit will take place this October 20 to 22 at Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami, with an exciting weekend of professional development, networking, and fun bond-building activities. Attendees will enjoy a speaker series featuring top Black travel leaders and tastemakers, workshops, and add-on experiences including a yacht brunch and gala. Tickets are now on sale at https://blacktravelsummit.com.“We are proud to continue our collaboration with Black Travel Summit and celebrate National Black Travel Day. This day is a testament to our ongoing commitment to uplifting Black voices, forging meaningful connections and paving the way for a more inclusive travel industry,” said Ronisha Goodwin, director, global diversity, equity and inclusion, Hyatt.
“Visit Lauderdale is excited to partner with the Black Travel Summit and so excited to showcase all the multi-cultural gems in our welcoming and inclusive destination,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO, Visit Lauderdale.
For more information on Black Travel Summit and National Black Travel Day, please visit https://blacktravelsummit.com.
