A Conversation on Travel Inclusivity

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Travel builds relationships between people and with places. Unfortunately, travel and tourism are not always accessible, safe, and welcoming to all. The events of the early 2020s—the pandemic, social justice uprisings, calls for diversity and inclusion—elevated the conversation about inequities and prompted change in many sectors, including travel. The travel industry, the media, stakeholders, and communities around the globe have committed to doing better. As worldschooling families, we, too, have an opportunity and responsibility to educate ourselves and support efforts that diversify the faces, voices, businesses, and experiences of travel.

 

For some travelers from the US, getting a passport and putting together a trip is rather straightforward. The hardest part may be narrowing options for where to go and how to get there. The experience for others may not be simple at all. Families of color or LGBTQ+ travelers may be unwelcome or unsafe in some locations. Others may face discrimination when trying to secure a rental car or accommodations, or have difficulty finding a gender-neutral bathroom. Travelers with disabilities or allergies may have to overcome accessibility obstacles and navigate planning and logistical issues many could never fathom. People who wear certain attire may be stereotyped, harassed, or mistreated by virtue of their religious or spiritual expression. For some travelers, finding outdoor gear that fits their bodies or being comfortable in transit is a hurdle. Subtle challenges or microaggressions are just as unwelcoming and problematic as more blatant acts of discrimination. Travelers might experience judgmental glances, longer waits for service, disparaging comments muttered under someone’s breath, or shaming based on their appearances.

 

Businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations have begun to examine how to change the travel industry, both inside and outside the US. Destinations and tour companies are diversifying their leadership, workforce, and advertising campaigns; they are examining their relationships with and impact on local communities; and they are evaluating how they include and meet the needs of all travelers. Advocacy and research groups are providing new ways to measure, track, and report on diversity and inclusion and are pushing for greater accountability. Domestic and international organizations are looking to promote the adoption of best practices and develop tools and the capacity to achieve responsible tourism that recognizes and works within the needs of local communities.

 

While the travel industry, governments, and institutions around the world are grappling with these important topics, this is just the beginning, and the outcomes are yet to be seen and measured. There’s also a lot we can do as a worldschooling community in our capacity as travelers, parents, consumers, and allies.

 

Here are some actions we can take to promote inclusivity and diversity:

  • Pay attention—be a vocal ally when you see injustice.
  • Build tolerance and cultural exchange, which Astrid Vinje recommends in her blog, The Wandering Daughter, by noticing “What’s different?” and “What’s the same?” compared to home.
  • When planning travel, use businesses that practice and promote inclusivity. Use your travel dollars to support airlines, rental car companies, accommodations, and other operators moving in the right direction.
  • While on the road, get the scoop. Support the just and fair vendors and establishments.
  • Tell, read, share, and like travel stories from diverse voices on social media.
  • Follow accounts and hashtags that discuss hard issues as well as represent joy.
  • Educate yourself and your family about history and social justice issues that expand or limit inclusion.
  • Speak up—demand that the industry change.

 

The face of travel has never reflected the true diversity of people, but social media is helping to change that. Mary Solio, one of the earliest family travel bloggers of color, shares, “Back in 2011, there weren’t many traveling families that looked like us. When Instagram came on the scene, people of color began to see other people traveling who looked like them. It brought confidence and helped get more diverse people out there.” Today, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube feature diverse voices of family travel. Social media can promote access and inclusion and connect travelers who may be looking for each other and for community.

 

Creating safe and welcoming travel experiences will take time, awareness, and the involvement of us all.