Gabby Beckford said her solo study abroad trip to Dubai she took in college was a transformative experience that changed her outlook on life.
“It was the first time I truly saw how different my life could be if I leaned into discomfort and followed curiosity,” says Beckford, who documents her solo travels on her Instagram. “It opened the door to living abroad, packing light and eventually making travel my full-time job.”
But Beckford is not the only one. According to the newly released survey from BLK Summer Travel Report, more Black travelers are leaning into solo journeys.
“Solo travel is a bold declaration of independence for Black travelers,” said Amber Cooper, BLK’s Brand Manager and Relationship Expert. “Our community is embracing journeys that celebrate their individuality while weaving in cultural roots.”
Cultural experience and connection
Nearly 50% of those surveyed are not only traveling alone this summer but also prioritizing self-discovery and personal growth on their trips.
Among those are Alexis Oyediran, a Gen Z travel creator and writer. Oyediran looks for five types of experiences in her excursions that she calls the ‘Pillars of a Perfect Trip.’ They include popular attractions, adventurous activities, unique cultural moments, opportunities to support local people and businesses, and restorative time to recharge.
“If my itinerary includes all five, I know I’ve created a well-balanced trip that truly allows me to experience a destination in a meaningful way,” Oyediran says.
In May 2023, Oyediran did a month-long solo backpacking trip through Spain, Portugal, and France. Last year, she traveled to Portugal alone and went to a wakeboarding camp in Lagos. She documents her adventures on her Instagram and TikTok. But her favorite solo trips have been to Kenya and Jordan.
“Both places have diverse landscapes and rich cultures, and the people were more willing to share their cultures with us,” Oyediran reflects about both countries. “Specifically, in Kenya, the safaris are mesmerizing and offer a unique opportunity to see the wildlife up close. In Jordan, the desert views in Wadi Rum and Wadi Feynan are unlike anything I’ve seen before.”
Nicole Phillip, another avid travel content creator and journalist, also leans into cultural experiences in her trips. Her solo travels have included Medellin, Prague, Madrid, Marrakech, Antigua, and Panamá City, Panamá. But one of her most memorable destinations has been Colombia.
“I’ve gone three times solo and I always love my experience there,” Phillip says about Colombia. “I feel so welcomed and comfortable there.”
Phillip tends to look for places with a mix of cultural experiences and mid-tier adventures. “Not as extreme as bungee jumping, but kayaking, whale watching, hiking to a waterfall,” the Orlando-based influencer says.
Both Oyediran and Phillips’ accounts highlight another part of the survey, in which majority Black travelers are drawn to locations with cultural connections. Destinations such as Atlanta, Lagos, London, Barbados and Zanzibar are at the top of the list, including countries with African diaspora ties such as Ghana, Bahia, Brazil, Costa Rica and Cape Town.
Unbothered and Abroad
Another universal consensus about traveling alone is the freedom that it seems to allow. Phillip says solo trips allow her to be on no one’s time but her own.
“I prefer being solo for most of my travels because it allows me the freedom to do as I please without having to argue or compromise,” says Phillip. “I can go to bed early and sleep in or wake up at 5am for an all-day excursion. The trip is mine to do whatever I want.”
Phillip also notes being solo doesn’t mean you’re always alone. “Even though I love doing my own thing, I always meet great people when I travel alone and end up hanging out with them and making memories.”
For Beckford, the trips are not only freedom but opportunities to reset and learn confidence.
“You learn to make quick decisions, ask for help when you need it, and get really clear on what brings you joy without anyone else’s influence,” says Beckford. She adds, “I love the freedom! Freedom to change plans on a whim or spend a whole day doing absolutely nothing by a beach. It’s a reset button for my creativity, my confidence, and my clarity.”
The survey also found that at least 21.6% will travel with friends for shared experiences. Oyediran calls those kinds of experiences ‘solo-ish.’
“I love joining group trips as a “group solo” traveler,” says Oyediran, who just came back from a group trip to Jordan last month. “I go alone, but I meet strangers who become friends along the way. It feels like the best of both worlds because I do not have to wait for anyone to go, but I still get to share the journey with others.”
Wellness and wanderlust
Nonetheless, shows such as Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross are popularizing the trend of traveling alone. In the Roku series, the actress documents her independent travels to Marrakech, Mexico and Spain and lessons she learned along the way. Beckford herself is working is on her own solo travel series in hopes of inspiring women of color, both young and seasoned, to get out of their comfort zone and embrace their soft era.
“Black women deserve soft, rich, expansive lives, and solo travel can be a way to access that,” says Beckford. “We carry so much for our communities. Giving yourself permission to go, to rest, to explore without explanation is powerful.”
Other takeaways from the survey found that nearly 14% of Black travelers prefer to go with family for the bonding experiences and 16% with significant others.
But no matter how you travel, the important thing is to just get out there. Whether it’s a solo retreat, a group adventure, or a family or romantic getaway, allow yourself to be open to the opportunities for joy, healing, and self-discovery.
