Travel should be accessible to everyone

'Traveling not only broadens your perspective in unimaginable ways but also nurtures a profound respect for different cultures and the people who inhabit our planet. For those seeking ultimate peace and enlightenment, the journey begins with getting a passport.' – Tahja, a graduate of beGirl.world Global Scholars

At 24, Tahja joined beGirl.world in 2014 at the age of 15. She was part of the first class in Philadelphia, established to address racial disparities in travel. I co-founded the initiative with Marcella Hudson after we discovered our shared passion for exploring the world.

Our conversations about the amazing destinations we explored, the delicious meals we savored, and the incredible deals we scored transformed into profound frustration over representation and accessibility in travel for everyone. We scoured the internet for others engaged in this mission. The findings were disheartening, revealing only a few like Tracy Riley of the Passport Party Project, who were dedicated to providing passports, promoting cross-cultural education, and introducing Black girls to new horizons.

At beGirl.world, we take a comprehensive approach to our mission, focusing on multiple aspects that empower girls to explore the world. We facilitate passport applications, language lessons, local excursions, and safety training, while also addressing the less tangible challenges such as homesickness, feeling out of place, building confidence, overcoming fears of new experiences, and the guilt that comes from knowing others lack travel opportunities.

We must do more

Like many organizations undertaking these vital roles, we recognize the meaningful and transformative work we do, but ultimately – it’s not enough.

Beyond the fact that Black girls (and students in general) miss out on incredible experiences due to restricted access to passports and travel, society is losing the talent, creativity, and intelligence of a generation that could significantly impact our world. Why isn’t this issue a priority in a time when we’re constantly reminded of the U.S.'s struggle to nurture talent for an evolving global economy? Why do we continue to dictate who gets to contribute to this change?

'Only 56% of Americans hold passports, and just 34% of African Americans do. It's crucial for us to create opportunities,' says Hudson.

The reality is this: organizations like beGirl.world Global Scholars can’t shoulder the entire responsibility of resolving inequity issues. The underlying structure of travel, much like various other societal elements, is rooted in systemic failures fueled by racism and classism.

Recently, I heard about a Black high school student planning to travel to Spain with her junior class (when did this even become a thing?). The parent mentioned, almost casually, that they wished their child could go, but the $6000 fee imposed by the school was simply beyond their means. That’s $6000 in American dollars – in today’s economy.

Both parents are employed and earn a reasonable income, but they also have other children and living costs that have only increased with inflation. Clearly, they couldn’t spare the funds for their child’s trip. With college tuition looming on the horizon, travel was deemed a low priority. It’s tough to accept, but entirely understandable.

People quickly suggested organizing a fundraiser, as many students do. However, this assumption is misplaced. It presupposes that everyone has a network to approach for donations, that those individuals can afford to give amid other financial obligations, and that there’s no stigma in soliciting money – not to mention the possibility that the fundraiser might fall short.

This is merely the high school experience. For some, the overwhelming cost of travel instills a belief from an early age that it’s unattainable – so why even dream of it? While there are exceptions, the opportunity to explore the world should not be restricted to those with financial means or those raised in environments that encourage the advantages of studying abroad.

Representation is crucial

Here are some alarming statistics: during the 2020–21 period, only 4.1% of US students studying abroad identified as Black, 12.3% as Hispanic/Latino, and .4% as American Indian/Alaska Native. The percentage of Black students has actually dropped from 6.4% in 2019.

The current approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion in travel is flawed. It's not merely about providing underrepresented students with passports or increasing visibility in images, advertisements, or publications. It's not enough to highlight the best Black restaurants in a city or to attach a #BlackLivesMatter or #StopAsianHate to social media campaigns. It goes beyond launching internships for Black students or offering scholarships.

It's not enough to solicit Black travelers for their (free!) feedback on your new DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) program, nor is it reasonable to expect perpetual gratitude for these initiatives.

Am I suggesting that these initiatives are pointless or merely performative? Absolutely not—that's a conclusion that requires a broader context. However, they are ineffective without action, follow-through, and a shift in power dynamics, ensuring that these efforts can be sustained and don’t remain the privilege of a select few.

They will fall short if those in executive and decision-making roles within government, academia, and travel sectors like airlines, hotels, and tourism don't enact change. This demands effort—self-reflective, humbling, and revolutionary work.

“Traveling not only allows you to explore new places, but it also helps you discover so much about yourself. Every journey I’ve taken has been a valuable learning experience, and I believe everyone should have the chance to enjoy that. It all starts with ensuring passport equity and giving low-income individuals the opportunity to see the beautiful world we inhabit.” – Ryann, beGirl.world Global Scholars alumna

How you can make a difference

Wow! When laid out like this, it can feel overwhelming, right? Almost like an insurmountable challenge. You might be wondering what role you can play in the realm of travel and passport equity.

Consider how you might contribute, even in a small way. Not everyone can instigate sweeping changes, but collective actions can build momentum. Reflect on how you can use your platform or privilege to broaden travel access for others.

• Could you sponsor passports?

• Can you offer to take passport photos for local teens?

• Can you help create job opportunities for those who study abroad in your field?

• Are you involved in the travel industry? Can you ensure a young, low-income, Black, or disabled person has a seat at your board as a genuine contributor—not just a token?

• Can you teach others how to monetize their travel experiences?

There’s always something you can do. And remember, I’m here to help!

Recently, beGirl.world Global Scholars collaborated with Dinogo Planet to provide 100 passports to Black girls, partnering with local organizations like Destination Liberation (Selma, AL), Horton’s Kids (Washington, DC), and Unlimited Potential (Baltimore, MD). The day was filled with joy, featuring creators, influencers, and Dinogo Planet staff dedicated to passport equity and our commitment to a more inclusive future.

We celebrated with dance, sampled international cuisines, processed passport applications (including some parents!), engaged in lively discussions, enjoyed games, and the girls left with sweets from various countries along with Dinogo Planet books, including a travel quiz and journal to inspire their dreams of exploring beyond their current horizons.

We aspire for these girls, along with many others who currently lack travel privileges, to become the driving force behind a future brimming with opportunities for exploration. It’s up to all of us to leverage what we have to make this vision a reality.

Everyone of us.