I love traveling (and appreciate it all the more after a year of not being able to do so!). But as a woman of color, I know that not all places are hospitable to people who look like me.
So recently, I've started wondering: Which destinations are safe* for travelers of color?
To get the best answers, I turned to four travel experts who have all traveled extensively and have first-hand experience visiting these destinations.
It's important to note that none of these experts can speak for everyone reading this — their recommendations are based on *their experiences alone*, and traveling to the same destination might feel different for you.
If you've had a traumatic travel experience, I know how hard it can feel to feel safe venturing out into unknown places. My hope for this list is that it serves as a helpful jumping-off point for anyone researching for their next travel adventure.
And if your future travel destination isn't on this list, don't let it deter you from taking that trip! Other people's opinions never stopped me from having fun, and it shouldn't stop you either. Just remember to do your research before you go.
And one last note: We can all be better about making travel a positive experience for everyone. As Tomiko Harvey reminded me, people across the travel industry have a responsibility to watch out for their own prejudices. "The onus is on the tourism board, the hotels, and the restaurants to ensure the employees have bias training. Because we all have [bias]," she says.