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Travel getaways with a cultural theme

Tracey Robinson-English

TAKE a close-up snapshot of a wild African lion on a safari in Ghana. See where Josephine Baker and James Baldwin lived in Paris. Explore Bermuda's African Diaspora Heritage Trail that brings Black history alive with African customs.

These are just a few of the abundant cultural vacation tours African-Americans can experience to tap into their roots. According to Target Market News, African-Americans spent more than $4 billion on leisure travel in the U.S. and abroad before 9/11, but stayed closer to home during the last few years. African-Americans have since made a strong comeback, generating nearly $5 billion on leisure travel last year, according to the latest figures available.

A growing African-American travel market is sending a clear wake-up call to the travel industry to cater to Blacks and their travel needs, experts say. "Every sector of the travel industry--hotels, theme parks, city visitor bureaus--has begun to reach out to the minority traveler through targeted advertising, minority travel guides and special ethnic promotions," says William S. Norman, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America.

African-Americans are enjoying traditional destinations and venturing to exotic excursions as singles, families and in groups. They're big on "girlfriend getaways," jazz cruises, ski trips and chartering customized tours to explore Black history.

"I find that people are looking for something deeper," says Nne Nne Jean Ibeawuchi, owner of Soul Planet Travel, a company that customizes trips for African-Americans to Paris, Brazil, Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco, and U.S. destinations. "They want to do something more besides eat, party and lounge on the beach."

That is why Africa, Brazil [especially the Bahia region] and Black Paris are such big draws. African-American travelers can still have fun, but also experience and learn more about our African history and culture."

Popular vacation spots for African-Americans continue to be the Caribbean--especially Jamaica--Paris, Mexico, the British Isles, Brazil and Africa, especially Ghana and South Africa, say travel industry experts. If you choose to experience these locations, here's a snapshot of what you can expect:

Bermuda is a perfect escape from winter. Located east of South Carolina in the North Atlantic Ocean, this string of 181 islands and islets enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, nearly equal to that of the United States.

Proud and friendly people--65 percent of whom are of African ancestry--are eager to display their homeland. "There's been long-standing relations between Bermuda and African-Americans," says Ewart Brown, deputy premier minister of tourism and transport. Tourism, he says, is a $60 million industry that represents about 15 percent of the country's annual budget. "Tourism and trade are important for us, but they are also important for our people to see the linkage between us and African-Americans."

To lure African-American tourists, Bermuda flourishes with plenty of attractions such as golfing, health retreats and annual musical festival featuring African-American celebrities. Travelers can rejuvenate at the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Southhampton Hotel or at the Mandarin Oriental Spa at the Elbow Beach Hotel. You can also taste one of island's homemade delicacies, Bermuda black rum cakes.

"With Black wealth and exposure reaching a pinnacle, African-Americans are assertively traveling to the 21-mile paradise," says Keetha Lowe, president of Integrated Global Management, an independent marketing firm based in Bermuda. "It is not only an escape, but it also offers numerous educational and economic opportunities for African-Americans."

A historic journey on the African Diaspora Heritage Trail zigzags the island highlighting the story of a mixed culture of African, Native Indian, Caribbean and British heritage. Along the trial, you can experience the brilliant Gombey dancers. This colorful troupe of masked dancers, wearing dramatic peacock headdresses and elaborate capes, trace their roots back to Africa during the 1700s. Dancers also portray biblical stories backed by the rhythm of percussionists.

In Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, you can savor what's described as "the most African city in South America." Tourists can experience the religion of Candomble, a mix of Catholicism and African rituals, African-in-spired foods, soulful drums throughout the streets, and capoeira, a Brazilian art that fuses dance, sport and African martial arts.

The Brazilian culture is evident in many ways throughout the area. Bahianwomen, who create intricate handmade lace apparel and household items such as aprons, tablecloths and curtains, majestically walk to market with baskets perfectly balanced on their heads. You can also appreciate artisans producing vivid oil paintings of street scenes on canvas.

In Rio De Janeiro, tourists can ride cable cars up to a high point on Corcovado Mountain to marvel at the 125-foot statute of Christ the Redeemer with its arms outstretched over the city. After a day of sightseeing, including views of Sugarloaf Mountain, visitors can feast at Churrascaria, one of Rio's favorite barbeque restaurants where waiters bring to your table tender choice beef, pork, lamb and chicken.

After dinner, the Platforma Night Club promises a rousing show of different costumes, music and dancing capturing Carnival rhythms. Vacation tours to Bahia and Rio are available with as much as 50 percent off airfares, so check for the best travel packages.

Already sold out for 2006 is Soul Planet Travel's tour of Black Paris. After exploring popular monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral, African-Americans visitors can enjoy famous hangouts of Black Parisians, African-American expatriates and learn about other Black experiences.

"When you look at your pictures of Black Paris, you think about how African-American troops like the 369th Regiment "Harlem Hell Fighters" fought and died to save those beautiful buildings along the Champs Elysee," says Nne Nne Jean Ibeawuchi, owner of Soul Planet Travel. There's also plenty of free time to dine at cool African restaurants like La Jungle, or relax at a jazz concert at Duc des Lombards, named after the legendary Duke Ellington.

Travel experts agree that soulful vacation getaways may be the ticket to a rare glimpse of history while renewing mind, spirit and purpose.

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